Definition of Positioning – This course is designed to understand the concept of community health nursing: nurses’ roles and interventions in family health, school health, occupational health, environmental health, elderly health care, gender issues, disaster management and principles and terminology of epidemiology. The aim of the course is to acquire knowledge and skills in community health nursing.
Definition of Positioning
Positioning is a nursing intervention defined as deliberate placement of the patient or a body part to promote physiological and/or psychological well-being.
(Ref by-medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com)
Positioning of the patient in bed may be defined as placing the patient in good body alignment as needed therapeutically.
(Ref by-Annamma Jacob’s/2/144)
Types of Positioning in Bed:
1. Supine position.
2. Prone position.
3. Lateral position or Inside line position.
4. Sims’ position.
5. Fowler’s position.
a) High Fowler’s position:-60-90° angled.
b) Mid Fowler’s position:-45° angled.
c) Low fowler’s position: -30° angled
6. Orthopneic position.
7. Lateral oblique position.
8. Trendlenburg position.
9. Dorsal recumbent position.
10. Knee-chest position.
11. Lithotomy position.
Some of the example of the positioning of patient in bed with short description of each of them are given below:
| Position | Description |
| A. Supine position | Patient lies flat on back. Additional supportive devices may be added for comfort. |
| B. Prone position | Patient lies on stomach with head turned to the side. |
| C. Sims position | Patient lies between supine and prone with legs flexed in front of the patient. Arms should be comfortably placed beside the patient, not underneath. |
| D. Fowler’s position | Patient’s head of bed is placed at a 45-degree angle. Hips may or may not be flexed. This is a common position to provide patient comfort and care. |
| E. Semi-Fowler’s position | Patient’s head of bed is placed at a 30-degree angle. This position is used for patients who have cardiac or respiratory conditions, and for patients with a nasogastric tube. |
| F. Orthopneic or tripod position | Patient sits at the side of the bed with head resting on an over-bed table on top of several pillows. This position is used for patients with breathing difficulties. |
| G. Trendelenburg position | Place the head of the bed lower than the feet. This position is used in situations such as hypotension and medical emergencies. It helps promote venous return to major organs such as the head and heart. |
Purposes of Positioning:
1. To promote comfort to the patient.
2. To prevent complications caused by immobility.
3. To stimulate circulation.
4. To promote normal physiological functions.
(Ref by-Annamma Jacob’s/2/144)
General Principles for Positioning:
1. Change the inactive patient’s position at least every 2 hours.
2 Maintain good body mechanics
3. Obtain assistance as required
4. Ensure that the mattress is firm and level of bed is at working height.
5. Raise the bed to an appropriate height.
6. Remove pillows and positioning devices.
7. Unfasten drainage tubes from the bed linen.
8. Turn the patient as a complete unit to avoid twisting the spine.
9. Place the patient in good alignment, with joints slightly flexed.
10. Replace pillows and positioning devices.
11. Support limbs in a functional position.
12. Ensure patient comfort.
13. Wash hands before and after procedure.
(Ref by-Annamma Jacob’s/2/144 Lecture)
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