Positioning Flashcards
Short Term Positioning
Interventions/exercises
30 minutes
Long Term
- 2-3 hours
- Preventing pressure injuries
- Preventing contractures
- Preventing cardiopulmonary complications
Positioning for specific conditions
Total hip arthroplasty
CVA with hemiplegia
LE amputation
Short Term Positioning Objectives
- Safety -protect vulnerable body parts without creating additional safety hazards
- Comfort -Maintain normal spinal alignment as much as possible and position extremities comfortably
- Access -position patient so that the appropriate intervention can be performed
Short Term: Supine
Short Term Prone
Short Term Sidelying
Could also add a pillow between the knees
Alternate Short Term Sidelying
Short Term Sitting
More than 90 degrees of flexion takes a lot of pressure off the back.
90/90/90; Back can have a little more flexion
Short Term Sitting Alternate
Use a chair with a back NOT wheels.
Long term positioning objectives
- Safety—open airways, avoid falls, accommodate medical limitations
- Comfort—good spinal alignment, cushioning, relieve stress on joints
- Prevention—prevent development of pressureinjuries, contractures, and edema; promoteefficient function of bodily systems
When lying down can only use anterior lungs due lying down
30 minutes to 2 hours
Negative Effects of Immobility: Integumentary
Poor circulation
Pressure Ulcers
Negative Effects of Immobility: Musculoskeletal
Atophy of muscle
Decreased ROM (Muscle development and muscle contracture)
Decreased BMD
Negative Effects of Immobility: Cardiopulmonary
Can’t recruit proper mechanisms
DVT risk
Decreased endurance
Negative Effects of Immobility: Neurological
Peripheral Neuropathy
Takes longer time to learn motor tasks with less movement
Negative Effects of Immobility: Behavorial
Depression
Helplessness
Lack of socialization
Fear of movement
High Fowler’s Position
Typically the position of comfort for patients in hospital beds—can increase shearing forces and promote contractures.
Trendelenburg Position
Facilitates circulation
Gravity can help move a patient
Utilized in abdominal surgeries and at times, following lower extremity surgeries