Patient Positioning
Supine
Someone in the supine position is lying on his or her back.
Prone
Someone in the prone position is lying face down.
Right Lateral Recumbent
The Right lateral recumbent, or RLR, means that the patient is lying on their right side.
Left Lateral Recumbet
The left lateral recumbent, or LLR, means that the patient is lying on their left side.
Fowler's Position
A person in the Fowler's position is sitting straight up or leaning slightly back. Their legs may either be straight or bent. A ‘high fowlers’ position is somewhat who is sitting upright. A ‘low fowlers’ position is someone whose head is only slightly elevated.
Trendelenburg Position
A person in the Trendelenberg position is lying supine with their head slightly lower than their feet.
Logrolling
Abduction
Abduction is movement away from the midline, or to abduct .
Adduction
Adduction is movement toward the midline, or to add.
BASIC PRINCIPLES IN POSITIONING OF PATIENTS
- Maintain good patient body alignment. Think of the patient in bed as though he were standing.
- Maintain the patient's safety.
- Reassure the patient to promote comfort and cooperation.
- Properly handle the patient's body to prevent pain or injury.
- Keep in mind proper body mechanics for the practical nurse.
- Obtain assistance, if needed, to move heavy or helpless patients.
- Follow specific physician's orders. A physician's order, such as one of the following, is needed for the patient to be out of bed.
- "Up ad lib."
- "Up as desired."
- "OOB" (out of bed).