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POSITIONS USED IN NURSING PATIENTS

LECTURE NOTES I

STEPHEN

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WHY

  • comfort
  • body alignment to forestall deformities
  • visibility
  • accessibility during procedures

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POSITIONS

  • Prone position
  • Dorsal position
  • Lithotomy position
  • Supine position
  • Sim’s position
  • Trendelenburg position
  • Fowler’s position
  • Genu-pectoral position

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THE PRONE POSITION

  • In this position, the pt lies flat on the abdomen with the head turned to one side
  • Uses:
  • To relieve pressure on the back
  • To nurse pt with fracture of the spine
  • To nurse burns sustained at the back and butts
  • To dry plaster of Paris
  • To nurse pt who have had haemorrhoidectomy

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THE UPRIGHT POSITION

  • Here the pt sits up in bed supported with pillows
  • Uses:
  • To nurse pt with cardiac conditions
  • To relieve dyspnoea
  • To drain the abdominal cavity

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THE DORSAL POSITION

  • The pt lies on the back with thighs flexed and knees abducted
  • Uses:
  • abdominal examination
  • Vaginal examination
  • Bimanual examination (M. R. P)

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THE LATERAL POSITION

  • Pt lies on the side of the body, butts to the edge of bed, head forward on a pillow with thighs flexed
  • Left and right lateral positions
  • Uses:
  • To administer enemy, suppository, flatus tube
  • To relieve pressure on other body parts

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SIMS’S POSITION

  • This position is an exaggerated form of the left lateral position
  • In this position, the pt lies more to the prone position with the left arm behind the back
  • Uses:
  • To nurse unconscious pts
  • Vaginal, rectal digital examination

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LITHOTOMY POSITION

  • Pt assumes the dorsal position on a specially designed table
  • With the legs supported on stirrups
  • Uses:
  • Deliveries
  • Gynaecological exam
  • E.O.U

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TRENDELENBURG POSITION

  • Pt assumes the supine position with arms by the side and legs extended
  • The foot of the bed dropped
  • And legs secured to it.
  • The table on the pt lies is usually inclined at the head side of bed to an angle of 45 degrees or less

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USES:

  • To treat shock
  • For gynaecological and rectal exam

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SUPINE

  • Also known as the recumbent position
  • Pt lies on his back with legs extended
  • Uses:
  • Same as for the dorsal position

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LIFTING TECHNIQUES

  • TRAVELLING
  • BUT
  • WHEN BACK
  • SKILLS DEMO &LIFTING TECNIQUES