Patient Positioning Flashcards
1
Q
Supine Position:
- Indications
- Risks
- Cardiovascular Changes
- Respiratory Changes
- Cranial Changes
A
- Provides easy access to airway, IVs, less physiological changes
- Pillow under head; avoid felxion or extension of neck due to brachial plexus stretch (35 degrees in sniffing position); arms abducted <90 degrees, SUPINATED; slight leg flexion (watch DVTs if pillow under knees)
- Minimal overall; Will have initial increased VR, then increases parasympathetic compensation ( 🔽 HR, PVR) Eventual reduced VR due to pooling; careful for IVC compression in pregnant, ascites, obese
- FRC decreases 800ml due to diaphragm displacement; decreases lung volumes, diaphragmatic excursion; use PIP to help overcome loss of chest wall tone from NMB
- Minimal; auto regulation tight
2
Q
Trendelenburg Position:
- Indications
- Risks
- Cardiovascular Changes
- Respiratory Changes
- Cranial Changes
A
- Can prevent air embolism; short term hypotension tx;
upward displacement of abd cavity contents; CVC
placement - Brachial plexus injury; shoulder brace lateral over
acromioclavicular joint; reduced LE perfusion;
face/airway
edema; ASPIRATION RISK - Increases VR up to 1L; baroreceptors activates, may
make shock worse in long term; only use short term for
shock; increases heart workload - Decreases compliance, PIP, FRC; VQ mismatch at apex
(perfusion>ventilation); risk of ASPIRATION; pulmonary
vasculature congestion; ETT may shift to RMB - Increases ICP; intraocular pressure
3
Q
Reverse Trendelenburg:
- Indications
- Risks
- Cardiovascular Changes
- Respiratory Changes
- Cranial Changes
A
- Enhances view of upper abd contents (laparoscopy,
cholesystectomy) - Watch for foot drop and excessive plantar flexion
(damages ANTERIOR TIBIAL NERVE) - Reduces VR; preload, CO, BP; compensatory mech
blunted by anesthetics; increased work on heart - Ventilation easier; increases FRC and diaphragmatic
excursion - Blood flow decrease, ICP down 20%
4
Q
Lithotomy Position:
- Indications
- Risks
- Cardiovascular Changes
- Respiratory Changes
- Cranial Changes
A
- GYN, GU, rectal procedures; abduct legs 30-45 degrees, flex 80-100; lower legs parallel to torso, place in stirrups simultaneously to avoid torsion
- Avoid flexion beyond 110; common perineal nerve most commonly damaged lower extremity nerve; LE compartment syndrome; move hips/legs simultaneously
- Leg elevation increases VR; perfusion change 2 mmHg per every 2.5cm above heart; transient VR/CO increase; when take legs down, hypotension (CHECK BP)
- Depending on amount of flexion, decreases diaphragm excursion; ⬇️ compliance, TV, VC; increase aspiration risk
- Transient increase in blood flow
5
Q
Prone Position:
- Indications
- Risks
- Cardiovascular Changes
- Respiratory Changes
- Cranial Changes
A
- Usually cranial surgery; Have Wilson frame (free-hanging
abd); prepare pt on stretcher before transfer; recheck
on line placement - Check breath sounds first; Neck alignment, pressure on
eyes, nose; corneal abrasion/pressure, blindness;
line/ET displacement; always tape eyes closed; ischemic
optic neuropathy/intaoptical pressure - Thoracic outlet syndrome; IVC and aortic compression
hypotension; ⬇️ CO and BP, especially on initial move,
pooling in LE causes hypotension - VQ mismatch; post vent>perf; ant perf>vent; ⬆️ PIP,
work of breathing, decrease compliance; have free
chest excursion and use PPV to overcome effects - Obstruct venous outflow if head turned; increases ICP;
normal ICP otherwise
6
Q
Nerve Damage:
- Most common overall
- Second most common
- Most common lower extremity
A
- Ulnar
- Brachial Plexus
- Common Peroneal Nerve
7
Q
Common Brachial Plexus Injury Mechanisms (5 items)
A
- Neck extension
- Arm abduction >90
- Arm falling of table
- Depressed shoulders (prone/reverse Tren)
- Compression against thorax (lateral)
8
Q
Radial Nerve:
- Anatomy
- Injury Mechanisms
- Symptoms
A
- Innervates lateral aspect of UE
- Compression usually against humerus; Surgical retractors, ether screen, BP inflation
- Loss of extension of forearm, wrist drop (loss of hand extension), loss of sensation in lateral arm/posterior forearm
9
Q
Ulnar Nerve Compression:
- Anatomy
- Injury Mechanisms
- Symptoms
A
- Runs in grove between olecranon and medial epicondyle of humerus
- Most commonly injured nerve; compression between olecranon and medial epicondyle; severe stretch (arm falling off table); compression against bed; misplaced BP inflation
- Loss of grip, inability to abduct or feel on palmar side of 4/5th finger; atrophy (claw hand)
10
Q
Common Peroneal Nerve
- Anatomy
- Injury Mechanisms
- Symptoms
A
- Branch of sciatic, innervates outer calf; most common lower extremity injury
- Compression of lateral knee (lithotomy or lateral)
- Foot drop; inability to evert foot or dorsiflex toes
11
Q
Popliteal Nerve Injury
- Anatomy
- Injury Mechanisms
A
- Branch of sciatic that innervates back of knee
2. Compression behind knee (lithotomy); especially in Knee-Crutch style stirrups
12
Q
Sciatic Nerve
- Anatomy
- Injury Mechanisms
- Symptoms
A
- Runs from buttock through lower limb, comes off L1 and S1
- Excessive rotation of hips; pressure on sciatic notch (posterior buttocks)
- Paralysis or weakness of muscles below knee; foot
drop; lateral calf and foot numbness
13
Q
Femoral Nerve Injury
- Anatomy
- Injury Mechanisms
- Symptoms
A
- Runs length of internal thigh; branches from L2-L4
- Compression at pelvic brim; excessive angulation/abduction (>45) of thighs and external rotation (lithotomy); flexion > 110 degrees
- Loss of flexion at hip; loss of extension of knee; decreased thigh sensation
14
Q
Saphenous Nerve Injury
- Anatomy
- Injury Mechanisms
- Symptoms
A
- Medial aspect of the thigh and calf; branch of
femoral nerve - Compression of medial aspect of leg against support bar (lithotomy)
- Parathesia medial and antemedial part of calf
15
Q
Lower Compartment Syndrome
- Occurrence
- Symptoms
- Treatment
A
- Typically long lithotomy/lateral cases (>2-3 hours)
- Ischemia, edema, rahbdomyolysis
- Fasciotomy