Bed Positions

Question 1

Dorsal recumbent

Answer 1

• flat on back knees bent and rotated outward
• During or after various surgeries

Question 2

Lateral

Answer 2

• on side top knee and arm flexed and supported by pillows
• releases pressure on sacrum

Question 3

SIM’s

Answer 3

• Halfway between lateral and prone
• used for unconscious patients to help with drainage of oral secretions

Question 4

Orthopneic

Answer 4

• makes it easier to breath

Question 5

Reverse trendelenburg

Answer 5

• entire bed tilted with foot of bed down
• promotes gastric emptying

Question 6

Trendelenburg position

Answer 6

• entire bed tilted with head of bed down
• used for postural draining

Question 7

Fowlers position

Answer 7

• Head of bed raised 45 to 90
• used while patient is eating; promotes lung expansion

Question 8

Semi-fowlers

Answer 8

• Head of bed raised 30 to 45
• used for oral care and gastric feedings

Question 9

Supine

Answer 9

• entire bed horizontally parallel with floor
  -patients with vertebral injuries; hypotension