2. DEFINITION
Positioning is defined as planning the person in a
proper body alignment for
preventive, promotive, curative
the purpose of
and rehabilitative
aspects of health or placing the patient in good body
alignment as needed therapeutically.
3. PURPOSES
âŻTo promote comfort to the patient
âŻTo relieve pressure on various parts
âŻTo stimulate circulation
âŻTo provide proper body alignment
âŻTo carry out nursing intervention
âŻTo perform surgical and medical interventions
âŻTo prevent complications caused by immobility
âŻTo promote normal physiological functions
4. PRINCIPLES
âŻMaintain good body mechanics
âŻWash hands before and after procedure
âŻEnsure patientâs comfort
âŻObtain assistance as required
âŻEnsure that mattress is firm and level of bed is at
working hide
âŻFollow safety measures to prevent accidents
âŻFollow the systematic and orderly way of doing
âŻUse right technique at right time
5.
6. 1. SUPINE POSITION
âŻThe patient lies on his back with his head and
shoulders are slightly elevated
Indication
âŻUsual position
âŻExamination of the chest and abdomen
7. PROCEDURE
âŻPlace the patient on back with one pillow under
the head, arms and hands at the sides, knees
flexed and separated.
âŻPlace the air ring under the hips and cotton or
foam pads under the heels to reduce the pressure.
âŻPlace footboard under bottom of feet.
âŻIf the patient is a paralyzed, place hand role in
hand.
âŻAlign the patientâs body in good position.
10. 2. PRONE POSITION
âŻPosition in which the patient lies on the abdomen
with the head turned to one side with one small
pillow under the ankle.
Indications
âŻPost operatively
burns, injuries and
âŻPatient with pressure sores,
operations on the back.
âŻTo relieve abdomen distension
12. PROCEDURE
âŻExplain the procedure
âŻProvide privacy
âŻPlace the patient flat on abdomen with one pillow
under the head
âŻTurn patients head to one side and align the patient
in good position
âŻPlace both arms at the side of the head and support
arm in flexed position at level of shoulder.
âŻSupport lower legs with pillows to elevate toes.
13.
14. 3. LATERAL POSITION
âŻThe client lies on the side with weight on hip and
shoulder or the patient lies on his side with both
arms forward and his knees and hips flexed.
âŻThe upper leg is flexed more than the lower leg.
âŻThe upper knee and hip should be at the same
level.
âŻA pillow is given under the head, back and front to
support the arms and abdomen.
âŻA small pillow is given in between the knees.
15. INDICATIONS
âŻPatients who requires periodic position changes
âŻIn immediate post-operative patients
âŻUsed for examination of perineum
âŻInserting suppositories.
âŻFor taking rectal temperature.
âŻGiving back care
âŻFor giving enema and colonic irrigation.
16. PROCEDURE
âŻExplain the procedure
âŻProvide privacy
âŻLower the head of bed as low as patient can tolerate.
âŻPosition the patient to side of bed
âŻTurn the patient to one side
17. CONTD..
âŻPlace the air ring under the hips to reduce pressure in
trochanters and at the hip joints.
âŻPosition both arms in flexed position. Upper most arms
are supported by pillow on level with shoulder.
âŻPlace pillow under back
âŻPlace pillow under semi flexed upper leg at hip, from
groin to foot.
âŻPlace sand bag parallel to plantar surface of
dependent foot.
18.
19. 4. LITHOTOMY POSITION
âŻThe client lies supine with hips flexed. The legs are
separated and thighs are flexed.
âŻThe patientâs buttocks are kept at the edge of the
table and legs are supported by stirrups.
21. PROCEDURE
âŻExplain the procedure to the patient
âŻProvide privacy
âŻPosition the patient to lie on his back with one pillow
under the head
âŻKeep the legs well separated and the thighs well
flexed on the abdomen and the legs on the thighs
âŻButtocks are kept on the edge of the table and the
legs are supported on stirrups
22.
23. 5. DORSAL RECUMBENT POSITION
âŻPatient lies on back, knees fully flexed, thighs
flexed and externally rotated feet flat on the bed.
⯠In this position clients with painful disorders are
more comfortable with knees flexed.
âŻThis position should not be used for abdominal
assessment because it promotes contraction of
abdomen muscles.
24. INDICATIONS
douche,
âŻIt is used for catheterization, vaginal
vulval, vaginal and rectal examination
âŻIt is also used for vaginal operations and insertion
of tampons
25. PROCEDURE
âŻPlace the patient on back in bed with two or more
pillows under the head for patientâs comfort.
âŻPlace the air ring under the hips and cotton rings or
foam pads under the heels to reduce pressure.
26.
27. 6. FOWLERâS POSITION
âŻIt is a sitting position in which the head is elevated
at 45Ë to 60Ë, and the client knees are slightly
elevated, avoiding pressure on the popliteal
vessels.
âŻBackrest and two pillows are used for the back and
head. Pillows can be used to maintain natural
alignment of the hands wrist and forearms.
28.
29.
30.
31. INDICATIONS
âŻTo relieve dyspnea
âŻTo improve circulation
âŻTo relax the muscles of the abdomen, back and
thighs.
âŻTo relieve tension on abdominal stature.
32. PROCEDURE
âŻExplain the procedure
âŻElevate the head of the bed
âŻRest the head against mattress or small pillow.
âŻUse pillow to support arm.
âŻPlace a small pillow at lower back.
âŻPlace foot board at bottom of patientâs feet.
âŻPlace the patient in sitting position with arms at sides
and knees raised with pillow.
33.
34. 7. SIMS POSITION
âŻIn this position the client lies on either the right or
left side.
âŻThe lower arm behind the body and upper arm is
bent at the shoulder and elbow.
âŻThe knees are both bent, with the upper most leg
more acutely bent.
âŻThese positions similar to the lateral position except
that the patientâs weight is on the anterior aspect of
the patientâs shoulder girdle and hip.
35. INDICATIONS
âŻVaginal and rectal examination
âŻAdministration of enema and suppository
âŻUsed for relaxation in antenatal exercises
âŻPosition for sigmoidoscopy and protoscopy
37. PROCEDURE
âŻExplain the procedure to the patient
âŻProvide privacy
âŻPlace the patient on the side
âŻPlace small pillow under head and neck
âŻPlace pillow under flexed upper arm, supporting arm
level with shoulder.
âŻPlace pillow under flexed upper leg, supporting leg level
with hip.
âŻPlace sand bags parallel to plantar surface of dependent
foot.
38.
39. 8. TREDLENBERG POSITION
âŻIn this the patient lies on the back with the head
low.
âŻThe foot of the bed is elevated at 45Ë angle.
Entire frame of bed is tilted with head of bed
down.
40. INDICATION
âŻUsed in emergency situations like shock,
hemorrhage and hypotension
âŻPostural drainage
âŻPatients with deep vein thrombosis
41. PROCEDURE
âŻExplain the procedure to patient
âŻPlace the patient in supine position
âŻLower the head end of the bed or if it is not
adjustable type, use bed block at foot end and tilt
entire frame of bed down. OR elevate the foot
end at 45Ëangle.
âŻThe patient is carefully supported to prevent
from slipping.
42.
43. 9. KNEE CHEST POSITION
âŻThe patient rests on the knees and the chest.
âŻThe body is at 90Ë angle to the hips with back
straight, the arm above the head, and the head
turned to one side.
âŻThe abdomen remains unsupported.
44. USES
âŻUsed for vaginal and rectal examination
âŻUsed in first aid treatment in cord prolapse or
retroverted uterus
âŻAs exercise for postpartum and gynecology
patients.
45. PROCEDURE
âŻExplain the procedure to the patient
âŻMake the patient rest on the knees and chest
âŻThe head is turned to one side with the cheek on
a pillow.
âŻThe arm should be extended on the bed and
flexed at the elbows to support the patient
partially.
46.
47. 10. ORTHOPNEIC POSITION
âŻHigh fowlerâs position with over bed table to be
placed across the front of the patient.
âŻPatient to rest both hands on over bed table/on
pillow placed in it and leans forward.
âŻLeaning forward facilitates respiration by
allowing maximum chest expansion by reducing
pressure of abdominal organs on diaphragm.