NCM103-1L: Patient Positions in Bed

NurseLabs - Patient Positioning https://nurseslabs.com/patient-positioning/

supine

the patient lies flat on the back with head and shoulders slightly elevated using a pillow unless contraindicated (e.g., spinal anesthesia, spinal surgery)

dorsal recumbent

the patient lies flat on the back with head and shoulders slightly elevated using a pillow unless contraindicated; thighs are slightly raised and knees are bent

low fowler’s

(semi-sitting position - low) head of the bed is elevated 15 to 30 degreees

semi fowler’s

(semi-sitting position - mid) head of the bed is elevated 30 to 45 degreees

high fowler’s

(semi-sitting position - high) head of the bed is elevated 45 degrees to near vertical

orthopneic

(tripod position) the patient in a sitting position or on the side of the bed with an overbed table in front to lean on and several pillows on the table to rest on

prone

the patient lies on the abdomen with their head turned to one side and the hips are not flexed

lateral

(side-lying position) the patient lies on one side of the body with the top leg in front of the bottom leg and the hip and knee flexed

flexing the top hip and knee and placing this leg in front of the body creates a wider, triangular base of support and achieves greater stability

an increase in flexion of the top hip and knee provides greater stability and balance, this flexion reduces lordosis and promotes good back alignment

sim’s

(semi-prone position) the patient assumes a posture halfway between the lateral and the prone positions

the lower arm is positioned behind the client, and the upper arm is flexed at the shoulder and the elbow

the upper leg is more acutely flexed at both the hip and the knee than is the lower one

lithotomy

the patient is on their back with hips and knees flexed and thighs apart (pregnancy delivery)

trendelenburg’s

lowering the head of the bed and raising the foot of the bed of the patient; the patient’s arms should be tucked at their sides

reverse trendelenburg’s

the head of the bed is elevated with the foot of the bed down; it is the opposite of Trendelenburg’s position

knee chest

lateral or prone:

lateral: the patient lies on their side, the torso lies diagonally across the table, and the hips and knees are flexed

prone: the patient kneels on the table and lowers their shoulders onto the table, so their chest and face rest on the table

jackknife

(kraske) 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

kidney

the patient assumes a modified lateral position wherein the abdomen is placed over a lift in the operating table that bends the body

the patient is turned on their contralateral side with their back placed on the edge of the table

the contralateral kidney is placed over the break in the table or over the kidney body elevator (if an attachment is available)

the uppermost arm is placed in a gutter rest at no more than 90º abduction or flexion