Patient Positioning and Safety Lecture Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering short-term and long-term positioning, pressure injury prevention, surgical hip precautions, post-stroke posturing, amputation care, and restraint policies.

Left Side-Lying Position (Pregnancy)

The optimal positioning for pregnant women, especially later in pregnancy, to prevent organs from compressing the vena cava and causing decreased blood flow back to the heart.

Short-Term Positioning

Positioning designed to keep a patient comfortable during brief clinic procedures, such as massages, ultrasounds, or range of motion testing.

Long-Term Positioning

Positioning tailored for patients with decreased mobility to prevent contractures, cardiopulmonary complications, and pressure injuries over extended periods.

Primary Objectives of Positioning

Safety, comfort, and access.

AMAP and ANA

Positioning principles meaning the patient participates As Much As Possible and movement is kept As Normal As Possible.

Total Hip Arthroplasty

The medical term for a hip replacement.

Hemiparesis

Weakness on one side of the body commonly resulting from a stroke.

Fowler's Position

A bed position where the head of the bed and the knees are both elevated, requiring monitoring for contractures as well as friction and shear at the bottom.

Trendelenburg Position

A position where the legs are elevated relative to the head to promote blood return to the heart and brain, used during low blood pressure or fainting episodes.

In-Bed Turning Frequency

Repositioning that must occur at least every two hours for immobile patients in bed to prevent pressure injuries.

Seated Repositioning Frequency

Weight shifting or repositioning that must be performed every 15 minutes for individuals sitting in a chair who cannot shift weight independently.

Ninety-Ninety Position

An optimal seated position achieving 90 degrees of flexion at both the hips and the knees.

Cachexia

Severe weight loss and loss of muscle mass seen in late-stage illnesses like cancer or AIDS that increases susceptibility to skin breakdown.

Blanching Test

A skin assessment where pressure is applied to a red area; if the skin turns pale and rapidly refills, it is normal, whereas non-blanching redness indicates a developing pressure ulcer.

Braden Scale

A standardized clinical risk assessment tool used to evaluate a patient's risk for developing pressure injuries.

Posterolateral Approach Precautions

Movement limitations following posterolateral total hip replacement: avoid hip flexion beyond 60 to 90 degrees, avoid hip adduction past zero (no crossing legs), and avoid hip internal rotation.

Anterior Approach Precautions

Movement limitations following anterior total hip replacement: avoid hip extension and avoid hip external rotation.

Abduction Wedge

A triangular positioning device placed between a patient's legs post-hip surgery to maintain abduction and prevent accidental leg crossing or adduction.

Residual Limb

The clinical term for the portion of a limb remaining after surgical amputation.

Medical Restraint

A physician-ordered, quick-release device used short-term to restrict movement in aggressive or safety-risk patients using the least restrictive means possible.