Positioning and Draping Flashcards
Devices or Techniques to Reduce Friction and Shearing Forces
Mechanical lifts
Trapeze bar
Lift sheet
Transfer boards
Cornstarch
Principles of Draping
Use clean linen.
Expose only areas to be treated.
Avoid exposing sensitive areas.
Remove under and outer garments if necessary
and provide a gown.
Remove or reduce folds and wrinkles.
Instruct patient on the position required and
draping to use.
Use pillows, rolled towels, devices
ask for permission
Skin Inspection
Inspect the skin before and after treatment.
Red indicates areas of pressure.
Paleness or blanching indicates severe,
dangerous areas of pressure.
Numbness or tingling indicates excessive
pressure.
Localized edema indicates excessive pressure
High-Risk Areas: Seated Position
Ischial tuberosities
Scapular and vertebral spinous processes
Olecranon processes
Medial epicondyles of humerus if resting on a
hard surface
- back of knees
Supine Position
Place small pillow or cervical roll under head.
Place small pillow or rolled towel behind knees.
Place small rolled towel or bolster under ankles.
Put arms in position preferred by the patient.
Support entire body and extremities.
Prone Position
Place small pillow or rolled towel under the head
Place pillow under lower abdomen.
Position the head on one side.
Place rolled towel under each anterior shoulder.
Place pillow, towel roll, or small bolster under anterior portion of ankles.
Position arms comfortably.
Side-Lying Position
Initially position patient in the center of the supporting surface.
Flex hips and knees.
Support uppermost leg with one or two pillows and place slightly forward.
Place a small pillow just proximal to the lowermost lateral malleolus.
Support the head with one or two pillows.
Place folded pillow at patient’s chest.
Additional pillows for comfort
Sitting Position
Provide adequate support and stability for the trunk.
Support feet on floor, footstool, or footrest.
Ensure no excessive pressure is put on the lowermost posterior thighs.
Support arms on pillows, armrests, treatment
table, lap board, or on a pillow in lap.
Remain aware of body structures most
susceptible to great pressure
Transfemoral Amputation
Avoid prolonged hip flexion.
Avoid elevation of the residual limb (RL) for
more than a few minutes.
Limit sitting to 40 minutes of each hour.
Avoid hip abduction.
Maintain the RL in extension
Preventive Positioning
Alter positions frequently.
Avoid postural malalignment.
Avoid positions that compromise functional
ability or capacity.
Know specific positions to avoid according to
patient’s condition(s).
Transtibial Amputation
Avoid prolonged hip and knee flexion.
Avoid elevation of the RL (no more than a few
minutes keeping knee in extension).
Limit sitting to 40 minutes of each hour.
Maintain the RL in extension.
Encourage periodic prone lying.
Hemiplegia
Avoid prolonged shoulder adduction and internal
rotation;
Avoid prolonged hip and knee flexion, hip adduction and external rotation, and ankle
plantar flexion and inversion.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Avoid prolonged immobilization of involved
joints.
Protect bony prominences.
Perform careful and gentle exercises several
times a day
Split-Thickness Burns and Grafted Burn Areas
Avoid prolonged positions for affected joints.
Avoid positions of comfort.
Perform gentle, careful, and frequent exercises.
Orthopedic Surgical Conditions total knee
Maintain the affected knee in extension.
Neutral hip rotation
