Position Therapy Flashcards
Positioning therapy can help match ventilation and perfusion through the redistribution of oxygen and blood flow in the lungs, which improves gas exchange.
The least damaged portions of the lungs receive preferential blood flow, resulting in less V/Q mismatch.
Approaches to position therapy
Prone positioning
Rotation therapy
Definition
Turning the patient completely over onto his or her stomach in the face-down position
Used to improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS
Dependent lung areas are more heavily damaged than nondependent lung areas. Turning the patient to the prone position improves perfusion to the less damaged areas of the lungs, improves (V/Q ) match, and decreases intrapulmonary shunting
Can be used to facilitate the mobilization of secretions and provide pressure relief.
Contraindications
Patients with increased intracranial pressure, hemodynamic instability, spinal cord injuries, or abdominal surgery
Prone positioning - Definition
Rotation therapy is thought to improve oxygenation through better matching of ventilation to perfusion and to prevent pulmonary complications associated with bed rest and mechanical ventilation
Automated turning beds to provide rotation therapy are often used in the critical care setting. Kinetic therapy and continuous lateral rotation therapy (CLRT) are two forms of rotation therapy.
CLRT: The patient is continuously turned from side to side with a rotation of 40 degrees or greater or with a rotation of less than 40 degrees.
Kinetic bed: The entire platform of the bed rotates
Oscillation bed: The mattress inflates and deflates to provide rotation
Rotation therapy