Patient Positioning

Question 1

High Fowlers

Answer 1

60-90 degrees

When: during episodes of respiratory distress, when inserting NG tube, during oral intake with feeding precautions

Question 2

Fowlers

Answer 2

45-60 Degrees
When: facilitates chest expansion so it is helpful with patients who are having difficulty breathing, during tube feeding administration because it facilitates peristalsis while minimizing aspiration risk, simply a comfortable position, also used in postpartum period to facilitate excretion of lochia

Question 3

Semi Fowlers

Answer 3

15-30 degrees
necessary in some neurological and cardiac conditions, after procedures or surgeries to facilitate hemostasis at the insertion site (like a cardiac cath with a femoral approach) or drainage from various wounds

Question 4

Supine

Answer 4

HOB flat, pt on back

Post procedures to maintain hemostasis at insertion site, frequent position for many surgeries

Question 5

Prone

Answer 5

HOB flat, pt on stomach with head to one side.

not frequently used. use as a therapeutic measure in advanced ARDS, during and after some surgeries

Question 6

Trendelenberg

Answer 6

flat on back, feet raised higher than head by 15-30
During CVC (subclavian or Ij) placement, if an air embolism is suspected as it traps air in the right ventricle when positioned this way with a valsava it can convert supraventricular tachycardia, during various surgeries, respiratory distress to increase perfusion

Question 7

Reverse Trendelenberg

Answer 7

Flat on back, head raised higher than feet by 15-30 degrees
for some surgeries or procedures, pre surgery Intervention for some vascular surgeries may be used to facilitate respirations in patients who need to lay in flat post procedure, reduces GERD symptoms

Question 8

Dorsal Recumbent

Answer 8

flat on back, knees bent, rotated outwards, feet flat on bed, head/shoulders typically on a pillow
during or after various surgeries, for comfort

Question 9

LAteral

Answer 9

on side, top knee and arm flexed and supported by pillows.
relieves pressure on saccrum, great for patients who are immobile as it is typically quite comfortable and proveds good spine alignment, supporting and off loading common pressure points

Question 10

sims

Answer 10

halfway between lateral and prone.
occasionally used with unconscious patients as it facilitates drainage of oral secretions, pregnancy, during enemas, for patients who are paralyzed as it takes pressure off of the hip and saccrum

Question 11

orthopneic

Answer 11

sitting at the side of the bed, leaning over a table
facilitates respiratory expansion, makes it easier to breath in patients with respiratory difficulty, and used during a thoracentesis.