Clinical Skills in Patient Care

Clinical Skills in Patient Care Unit Six Basic Body Positions

Content:  Introduction.

 Fowler’s position.

 Orthopneic position .

 Dorsal recumbent position.

 Prone position.

 Lateral position.

 Sims’ position.

Introduction:  Positioning a client in good body alignment and changing the position regularly and systematically are essential aspects on nursing practice.

 Frequent change of position helps to prevent muscle discomfort, pressure ulcers, damage to superficial nerves and blood vessels, and contractors.

Fowler’s Position:  Fowler’s position, or semi sitting position, is a bed position in which the head and trunk are raised 45-90 degrees. In this position, the knee may or may not be flexed.

 In low-Fowler’s or semi-Fowler’s position, the head and trunk are raised 15-45 degrees.

 In high-Fowler’s position, the head and trunk are raised 90 degree.

 Fowler’s position is the position of choice for people who have difficulty breathing and for some people with heart problems. Semi Fowler Position Orthopneic Position:  In the Orthopneic position, the client sits either in bed or on the side of the bed with an overbed table across the lap.

 This position facilitates respiration by allowing maximum chest expansion.

Almajmaa Community Collage-101NUR, Adel Ali Dorsal Recumbent and Supine Positions:  In the dorsal recumbent (back-lying) position, the client’s head and shoulders are slightly elevated on a small pillow.

 In some agencies, the terms dorsal recumbent and supine are used interchangeably.

 In the supine or dorsal position, the head and shoulders are not elevated.

 In both positions, the client’s forearms may be elevated on pillows or placed at the client’s sides.

 The dorsal recumbent position is used to provide comfort and to facilitate healing following certain surgeries or anaesthesias.

Prone Position:  In the prone position, the client lies on the abdomen with the head turned to one side.

 The hips are not flexed. One or both arms may be flexed over the head.

 It promotes drainage from the mouth and is especially useful for unconscious clients or those clients recovering from surgery of the mouth or throat.

Lateral Position:  In the lateral position (side-lying), the person lies on one side of the body. The top hip and knee are flexed and placed in front of the body.

 Both arms are in front of the body. Pillow is put under head and neck, other one under upper arm, and a third one under the top leg and thigh to place them in good alignment.

Sims’ Position:  In Sims’ position (semiprone), the client assumes a posture halfway between lateral and prone positions.

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

 Both legs are flexed in front of the client. The upper leg is more acutely flexed at both the hip and the knee than is the lower one.

 Sims’ position may be used for unconscious clients because it facilitates drainage from the mouth and prevent aspiration of fluids. 36

Almajmaa Community Collage-101NUR, Adel Ali