Patient positions for postural drainage

What does anterior mean?

Patient is laying on their back.

What position is this?

Anterior upper segments

lay on the back with the back raised to a 45 degree angle to drain the right and left upper lungs

What position is this?

Posterior apical segment

lay the bed flat and have the pt sit up at a 4 degree angle to drain the upper and rear lungs

What position is this?

Anterior segments

Have the pt lay completely flat with a pillow above their legs to drain the anterior lungs

What does segments mean?

A pillow is used for drainage

What position is this?

Right posterior segment

Pt lays on their left side with a pillow lighting lifting up their right side

What position is this?

Left posterior segment

Pt lays on their right side with a pillow lighting lifting up their left side

What position is this?

Right middle lobe

Pt lays flat and has their legs raised 12 inches with a pillow under their right arm

What position is this?

Left lingular

Pt lays flat with their legs raised 12 inches in the air with a pillow under their left arm

What position is this?

Anterior segments, lower lobes

Pt lays flat with legs raised 18 inches with a pillow under their knees

What position is this?

Right lateral segment

Pt lays on their left side with their legs 18 inches in the air to drain their right lower lung

What position is this?

Left lateral segment

Pt lays on their right side with their legs 18 inches in the air to drain the left lower lung

What position is this?

Posterior segments

pt lays on their stomach with their legs 18 inches in the air with a pillow under the chest and shins

What position is this?

Superior segments

Pt lays flat with a pillow under their chest and shins