Positions

Fowler Position: is a semi sitting position. The head of the bed is raised between 45 and 60 degrees. The knees may be slightly elevated.

o   For good alignment: the spine is straight, the head is supported with a small pillow, the arms are supported with pillows.

·      The nurse may ask you to place small pillows under the lower back, thighs, and ankles. Persons with heart and respiratory disorders usually breathe easier in Fowler position.

Supine Position (dorsal recumbent position): is the back-lying position.

o   For good alignment: the bed is flat, the head and shoulders are supported on a pillow, arms and hands are at the sides. You can support the arms with regular pillows. OR you can support the hands-on small pillows with the palms down.

·      The nurse may ask you to place a folded or rolled towel under the lower back and small pillow under the thighs. A pillow under the lower legs lifts the heel off the bed. This prevents them from rubbing on the sheets.

Prone position: the person lies on the abdomen with the head turned to one side.

o   For good alignment: The bed is flat, small pillows are placed under the head, abdomen, and lower legs, arms are flexed at the elbows with the hands near the head.

·      You also can position a person with the feet hanging over the end of the mattress. A pillow is not needed under the feet.

Lateral position (side-lying position): The person lies on one side or the other.

·      For good alignment: The bed is flat, a pillow is under the head and neck, the upper leg is in front of the lower leg (the nurse may ask you to position the upper leg behind the lower leg, not on top of it.), the ankle, upper leg, and thigh are supported with pillows, a small position is positioned against the person’s back. The person rolls back against the pillow so that his or her back is at a 45-degree angle with the mattress, and a small pillow is under the upper hand and arm.

Sims Position (semi prone side position): is a left-side position. The upper leg (right leg) is sharply flexed so it is not on the lower leg (left leg). The lower arm (left arm) is behind the person.

·      For good alignment: the bed is flat, and a pillow is under the person’s head and shoulder.

Chair Position: Persons who sit in chairs must hold their upper bodies and heads erect. If not, poor alignment results.

·      For good alignment: the person’s back and buttocks are against the back of the chair, feet are flat on the floor or wheelchair footplates, never leave feat unsupported, and backs of the knees and calves are slightly away from the edge of the seat.

·      The nurse may ask you to put a small pillow between the person’s lower back and the chair. This supports the lower back. REMEMBER A PILLOW IS MOT USED BEHIND THE BACK IF RESTRAINTS ARE USED.