Postural Drainage Positions

Question 1

Placing a patient’s body in a gravity-assisted position can be used to: 2

Answer 1

1. Assist with the clearance of retained bronchial secretions from the airways
2. Improve ventilation of the lungs

Question 2

What are the postural drainage positions based on?

Answer 2

The positions used are based on the anatomy of the tracheobronchial tree.

Question 3

What are Trendellenburg positions used to clear secretions from? 3

Answer 3

Trendellenburg positions (head-down tilt positions) are used to clear secretions from

1. the middle lobe,
2. lingula and
3. basal lobes.

Question 4

Why are modified positions used?

Answer 4

Modified positions (without head-down tilt) are used for those
patients who can’t tolerate traditional PD positions.

Question 5

What are the PRECAUTIONS &CONTRAINDICATIONS
FOR POSTURAL DRAINAGE? 8

Answer 5

1. Congestive cardiac failure
2. Severe hypertension
3. Cerebral oedema or raised intracranial pressure
4. Aortic or cerebral aneurysms
5. Frank haemoptysis
6. Abdominal distension or obesity
7. Gastro-esophageal reflux
8. Recent surgery or trauma to the head and neck