4.3 Positioning

Question 1

How many positions are there ?

Answer 1

1. Standing position
2. Sitting position
3. Recumbent/Supine position
4. Prone position
5. Semi-prone position
6. Lateral position
7. Fowlers position
8. Trendelenberg position
9. Dorsal recumbent
10. Dorsal lithonomy
11. Knee chest position

Question 2

What is standing position for ?

Answer 2

To assess posture, balance & neurological disorders

Orthopedic examination

Question 3

What is sitting position for ?

Answer 3

Allows visualisation of upper body & assess vital signs

Question 4

What is recumbent/supine position for ?

Answer 4

1. To prepare patient for physical examination; chest & abdomen
2. To immobilise after some procedures; lumbar puncture

Question 5

What is prone position for ?

Answer 5

1. To reduce pressure on back
2. Promote drainage from mouth
3. For clients after anaesthesia to prevent aspiration of saliva

Question 6

What is semi-prone position for ?

Answer 6

1. To promote drainage from mouth

2. Reduce pressure at back, nurse unconscious patient

Question 7

What is lateral position for ?

Answer 7

1. Prevent pressure sore

2. Prepare patient for rectal examination/enema

Question 8

What is fowlers position for ?

Answer 8

1. To relieve breathing difficulty
2. Relieve tension on abdominal sutures
3. Promote wound drainage

Question 9

What is trendelenberg position for ?

Answer 9

1. Examination/operations of pelvic organs

2. To treat decreased blood pressure

Question 10

What is dorsal recumbent position for ?

Answer 10

1. Insertion of catheter
2. When giving bed pan
3. During vagina examination
4. Rectal examination

Question 11

What is dorsal lithonomy position for ?

Answer 11

1. During delivery

2. For gynaecological examination/treatment

Question 12

What is knee chest position for ?

Answer 12

1. For examination of rectum/vagina
2. For sigmoidoscopy
3. Exercise for postpartum clients