3. Definition
In a healthcare setting, patient
positioning is a critical aspect of the
nursing practice. It involves
maintaining a patient's good body
alignment by constantly changing
their position in a systematic way. It
is the responsibility of nurses to
ensure that the patients are
positioned properly.
4. Type of Positioning
1. Recumbent position
2. Supine position
3. Dorsal position
4. Prone position
5. Semi-prone position
6. Fowler’s position
7. Semi fowler's position
8. Orthopneic/cardiac position
9. Lateral position
10. Lithotomy position
5. 1. Recumbent position
• The supine position means lying horizontally with
the face and torso facing up, as opposed to the
prone position, which is face down. When used in
surgical procedures, it grants access to the
peritoneal, thoracic and pericardial regions; as well
as the head, neck and extremities.
6. 2. Supine position
• 'Supine' means lying on the back with the face
pointing upward. The supine position is common in
certain practices,. Many people also adopt a
supine position for sleeping.
17. Reverse
Trendelenburg’s
• Is a patient position wherein the head of
the bed is elevated with the foot of the
bed down. It is the opposite of
Trendelenburg’s position.
18. Knee Chest Position
• Can be in lateral or prone position. In
lateral the patient lies on their side, torso
lies diagonally across the table, hips and
knees are flexed. In prone, the patient
kneels on the table and lower shoulders
on to the table so chest and face rests on
the table.
19. Jack-knife position
• Also known as Kraske, is wherein the
patient’s abdomen lies flat on the bed.
The bed is scissored so the hip is lifted,
and the legs and head are low.
20. Kidney position Surgery
• The patients assume a modified lateral
position wherein the abdomen is placed
over a lift in the operating table that
bends the body. Patient is turned on their
contralateral side with their back placed
on the edge of the table.
