Positions Flashcards
What are two reasons for putting a client in a specific position during or after a procedure, surgery or injury?
Positions during or after a procedure, surgery or injury either:
Prevent a complication
ex: prevent bleeding by placing a client with a liver biopsy on the right side
Promote something good
ex: promote good breathing/oxygen exchange by placing a client in semi- or high-fowler's position
What are contractures and what causes them?
Contractures are joint and muscle rigidity from staying in the same position for too long.
Why do we change the client’s position by turning them at least every 2 hours?
Change position every 2 hours by turning to:
Prevent pressure ulcers (decubitus ulcers/bed sores) Prevent pneumonia by breaking up mucus secretions in lungs to prevent contractures
What should the HOB be elevated to for each of the Fowler’s positions?
The various Fowler positions are:
low-Fowler: HOB elevated 15 - 30 degrees semi-Fowler's: HOB elevated 30 - 45 degrees standard Fowler's: HOB elevated 45 - 60 degrees high-Fowler's: HOB elevated 60 - 90 degrees
What position is lithotomy?
Lithotomy is on the back with legs apart.
What position is Trendelenburg
Trendelenburg is supine with head lower than the feet.
What position is reverse Trendelenburg?
Reverse Trendelenburg is supine with head higher than the feet.
What position is best during and after tube feedings?
Best position during and after tube feeding:
Semi-Fowler’s - Head of Bed (HOB) elevated at least 30 degrees. This prevents aspiration.
What position is best after a liver biopsy?
After a liver biopsy place on right side with pillow splint for 2 hours.
This is to prevent bleeding since the liver is vascular and on the right side.
What position is best during a thoracentesis?
The best position during a thoracentesis is leaning over the bedside table or in bed with the affected side up.
This is to promote separation of the ribs in order to reach the pleural space better and to get the excess fluid out.
What position is best with most neurological problems?
For neurological problems:
Semi-Fowlers - Head of Bed (HOB) elevated and head midline.
This is to prevent increased intracranial pressure and promote blood flow to the brain.
How should a client with spinal cord injuries be moved?
For spinal cord injuries:
Logroll - keep the head in midline with the rest of the body when moving.
This is to prevent additional spinal injuries.
What position is best for varicose veins?
Keep veins elevated by having the legs up to prevent swelling.
Varicose veins: elevate veins - keep legs up to prevent swelling. This is to promote blood circulation because the valves of the veins are not strong enough to move the blood back to the heart. (Remember the V in eleVate and Veins)
What position for the legs is best for peripheral arterial disease?
For peripheral arterial disease:
Dangle arteries - keep legs down.
This is to promote blood circulation because the arteries are hardening making them stiff and unable to dilate well (remember the A in dAngle and Arteries).
What is the best position after a hip replacement?
Hip replacement position:
Legs abducted (apart) using a wedge pillow avoid hip flexion > 90 degrees ( no bending over, no sitting on a low toilet).
Prevents hip from dislocating.
