Session 3Positions Used in Nursing Care of Patient

Session 3Positions Used in Nursing Care of Patient

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Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students are expected to be able to:

Discuss different types of patient positioning

Describe uses of different types of patient positioning

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Different Positions Used in Nursing Care

Different Positions Used in Nursing Care

Introduction

There are many different positions used for nursing patients

Normally a patient is allowed to rest in bed in any position he finds comfortable unless there are some contra-indications in which case a specific position has to use.

The specific position may be indicated for therapeutic reasons, such as, promoting drainage, preventing contractures and assisting in breathing, among the many others.

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Semi – Recumbent Position

Semi – Recumbent Position

The patient lies in bed semi-propped up.

A back-rest and about 2 or 3 pillows are put under his back.

The uses include

Nursing patients after recovering from general anaesthesia.

Most of convalescent patients enjoy this position.

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Sitting Up Position

Sitting Up Position

The patient sits in an up-right position in bed.

His back is supported by a back-rest and some pillows.

A foot-rest is placed to prevent the patient from slipping down.

An air ring is used to relive sacral pressure and a heart table may be put with a soft pillow on it to enable the patient lean forward.

Uses

Nursing patients with congestive heart failure.

Nursing asthmatic patients or other patients with respiratory disorders where dyspnoea is marked.

After some chest or abdominal surgery to facilitate drainage.

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Left Lateral Position

Left Lateral Position

The patient lies on the left side with a pillow under his head.

The thighs and knees are flexed.

The upper leg is more flexed than the lower leg.

Uses

Administration of enema

Introducing a suppository

For rectal and vaginal examination

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Sim’s Position

Sim’s Position

This position is very much like the lateral position except that the patient lies more towards prone, the upper leg is acutely flexed at the hip and knee than the lower leg.

The patient’s lower arm lies behind back, the upper arm is flexed at the shoulder and elbow.

Uses: For vaginal examination as the cervix can be seen clearly.

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Prone Position

Prone Position

The patient lies on the abdomen with the head turned to one side

One pillow is put under the head and another one under the ankles to prevent discomfort of toes pressing the bed

Uses

Nursing patients with wounds or burns on the back

Relieving distention due to flatulence

Change from recumbent position in order to relieve pressure on the hips and saum

Some people just feel comfortable in this position for taking a nap

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Semi-Prone Position

Semi-Prone Position

This position resembles the lateral position.

The patient lies on one of his/her sides with lower arm resting on the bed behind the patient causing tilting of the chest and head.

His upper arm is flexed at the shoulder and elbow.

A pillow is placed in front of the lower leg to support the upper leg.

Uses

For nursing unconscious patients as this position facilitates fluid drainage from the mouth.

For some gynecological examinations.

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Genu-Pectoral (Knee-Chest) Position

Genu-Pectoral (Knee-Chest) Position

The patient kneels with the buttocks upward.

The head and chest rest upon the bed which has small pillow.

The arms are flexed round the head.

The patient should be explained the reasons of this type of position to minimize embarrassment.

Uses

As a temporal measure to relieve prolapsed of abdominal organs.

For colonic irrigation.

For some gynaecologic examinations.

To relieve pressure on the foetus’s cord when it has prolapsed.

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The Lithotomy Position

The Lithotomy Position

This position is usually employed in the theatre.

The patient lies on the back on the operation table which has been equipped with stirrups.

The patient’s buttocks are brought to the edge of the table.

The knees are flexed and feet supported in the stirrup.

Uses

Gynaecological examination and operation

Rectal operations

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Trendelenburg Position

Trendelenburg Position

This position is commonly used in the operation theatre.

The patient lies on his back.

The foot of the bed is elevated so that the head is lower than the rest of the body.

The knees are flexed over the adjustable lower section of the table.

The patient is protected by devices from slipping down the table.

Uses: Commonly employed in pelvic operations.

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Key Points

Key Points

Different nursing positions are important to give comfort to patient.

These nursing positions are part of management of patient; some of them are used during certain examinations.

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Evaluation

Evaluation

What are the different nursing positions for patient care?

What can determine a nursing position required by particular patient?

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References

References

Alexander, M.F. (2002). Nursing practice Hospital and Home (3rd ed.). London: Architect Inc.

Stedman`s. (2000). Medical Dictionary (27th ed.). Lippincott: Williams &Wilkins

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Slide 16

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