Various position are shown in the slides to comfort the patient and various positions used for physical examination

1. Prepared by: Rashmi Goswami
F.Y M.Sc Nursing
C.M.P.C.O.N

2. 
The nurse uses a variety of interventions to bring comfort and
relief to her patients. Positions used for comfort are one of the
important aspects in nursing interventions. Nurses caring for
clients in many settings and situations can adapt various
comfortable positions, to provide them a comfortable stay.
Moreover, different positions are used for physical
examinations so that the body parts are accessible and the
client's stay is comfortable.
INTRODUCTION

3. 
 Positioning defined as placing the person in such a way to
perform therapeutic interventions to promote the health of
an individual.
 Positioning defined as placing the person in a proper body
alignment for the purpose of preventive, promotive,
curative, and rehabilitative aspects of health
DEFINITION

4. To provide comfort
to the patient
To relieve pressure
on various parts
To improve
circulation
To prevent
formation of
deformity
To carry out
investigations
To perform surgical
and medical
investigations
To prevent pressure
sores
To provide proper
body alignment
To conduct
delivery/labor
To carryout nursing
interventions
To provide adequate
circulatory and
respiratory
functions
PURPOSE

5. 
Systemic
and orderly
way of doing
Cooperation
between two
Follow
safety
measure to
prevent
accidents
Active
participation
Using a right
technique at
right time
PRINCIPLES OF
POSITIONING

6. 
COMMON COMFORT
POSITIONS

7. 
Recumbent or Supine and
Dorsal Position
The patient lies on his back with
his head and shoulders are slightly
elevated.
Indication:
Examination of the chest and
Abdomen.
Purpose:
To provide comfort to the patient.
To check vitals
To perform physical examination
During surgical procedures an
post operatively.

8. 
Semi-recumbent
position/Low Fowler’s
In this position head of the bed
is elevated at 30 degree with
flexion at the level of waist.
Indication:
• To prevent aspiration during
tube feeding.
• During increased ICP

9. 
Prone Position
In the prone position the patient lies
flat in bed with face downwards or
sideways with one pillow under the
waist and one under the ankles, to
take the weight off the toes.
Indication:
• Patients with a Spinal injury,
Surgery spine,
• Back injuries,
• Burnt over back etc.

10. 
Lateral or side lying
position: (Right or left)
 In the side lying position the
patient lies on his side with
both knees slightly flexed
towards the abdomen, one
knee more acutely than the
other.
 Pillows can be placed at the
head, back and at the sides for
support and between the
knees.
 The left lateral position is used
for giving enema or
suppositories

11. 
Fowler's Position:
 Fowler's position is a semi-
sitting position with head
elevated to 30 with the
support of back rest and
pillows.
 Under the arms and knees
extra pillows to be placed.

12. 
 Indication:
• Chest and abdominal operations to promote
drainage.
• Also in patients with dyspnoea, as this position
expands the thoracic cavity by pushing the
diaphragm down.
• To prevent the risk of choking.
• Nasogastric tube intubation
• To relieve respiratory disorder such as COPD,
Asthma, Emphysema, etc.

13. 
Cardiac/ Orthopneic
position
 In the cardiac position the
patient is in high Fowler's
position, a cardiac table is
placed in front of the patient
with a pillow for him to lean
on.
 It relieves dyspnoea, and adds
to the comfort of the patient.

14. 
POSITIONS USED FOR
PHYSICAL
EXAMINATION

15. 
Dorsal or Horizontal
recumbent
 It is a back-lying position
with legs extended or knees
flexed according to the need.
A small pillow is placed
under the head.
 In this position client with
painful disorders are more
comfortable with knees
flexed.

16. 
Erect Position or Standing:
 This is the normal standing
position with both feet on the
floor.
 In this position the patient is
examined for orthopedic and
neurological disorders or for
hernia.

17. 
Sim's or Left Lateral
Position:
 In Sim's position the patient lies on
his left side with one pillow under the
head and the left cheek resting on it.
 The left arm is drawn behind the back
and the right arm in any position
comfortable for the patient.
 The right thigh is flexed against the
abdomen.
 This position is used for rectal and
vaginal examination.

18. 
Knee Chest Position
 In the knee-chest position the patient
rests on the knees and the chest.
 The head is turned to one side with
the cheek on a pillow. A small pillow
may be placed under the chest.
 The arms are placed at the sides of
the head. The weight is resting on
chest and knees. The knees are flexed
in a kneeling position and the thighs
are at right angles to the legs .
 This position is used for rectal,
vaginal examination and management
of prolapsed uterus

19. 
Trendelenburg position
 In the Trendelenburg position the
patient lies on his back, the foot
of the bed is elevated at 45°
angle. The head is low and the
body is on inclined plane.
 This position is used in surgery
of pelvic organs.
 To shift abdominal organs
upward during certain surgeries.

20. 
Lithotomy position
 Lithotomy position is a back-
lying position with feet
supported in stirrups.
 This position is used for
rectal, vaginal and urethral
examinations, catheterisation
and during vaginal deliveries.

21. 
 Maintain good body alignment of the patient at all times.
 Support body parts in good alignment by using supportive
devices to promote comfort and prevent undue muscle
strain
 Avoid prolonged flexion of any one body segment by
changing the position at least every two hours
 Reduce the pressure caused by body weight of his or her
body or object by changing the position and using
protective devices.
GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS

22. 
 Check the patient’s general condition
 Check the physician’s order for any limited movements
 Assess the self-care ability of an individual
 Arrange the comfort devices near the bedside
 Identify the deformed extremity
 Support the immobilize area during positioning
 Identify the rationale before positioning
PRELIMINARY
ASSESSSMENT

23. 
 Extra man power if needed
 Extra pillows
 Sheets
 Comfort devices such as back rest, cardiac table, sand bag,
etc.
EQUIPMENT

24. 
 Explain the procedure to the patient
 Provide privacy
 Arrange the articles and manpower (if needed)
 Untie the bed sheets
 Turn/lift/ambulate gently
 Place and support with extra pillows under pressure points
 Special care taken at pressure areas
 Cover the patient with top sheet
 Hand wash
 Record the time, position and condition of the skin
PROCEDURE

25. 
 Positioning a patient in bed is important for maintaining
alignment and for preventing bed sores (pressure ulcers),
foot drop, and contractures.
 Proper positioning is also vital for providing comfort for
patients who are bedridden or have decreased mobility
related to a medical condition or treatment.
 When positioning a patient in bed, supportive devices
such as pillows, rolls, and blankets, along with
repositioning, can aid in providing comfort and safety.
Cont…

26. 
 Good body alignment can be achieved in any of the bed
rest positions. The following points should be checked.
- Head should be in midline with the trunk
- Back should be straight, with normal body curves (cervical,
thoracic, and lumbar) maintained
- Ribs should be elevated to prevent constriction of the chest
- Arms and legs should be in a position of function (the
position for maximum usefulness of the joints, feet and
hands)
Cont…

27. 
- Position of function of leg and feet. This position favors
standing upright and walking. In general, if the toes point to
the ceiling when in a back-lying position and point to the floor
when in a front-lying position, the feet, legs, and hips are in
good alignment.
- Position of function of arms and hands. This position favors
raising arms and grasping things with the fingers. The hand
should not droop at the wrist, be clenched in a fist, or be flat.
The position of function for the hand is dorsiflexion (at a
slight upward angle) at the wrist, with the fingers and thumb
in position to write with a pencil.
Cont…

28. 
 Positions used for comfort and physical examinations are
one of the very important interventions by nurses. Patients’
ability to assume positions depends upon their physical
strength and degree of wellness. Their privacy should be
kept as the top priority while doing physical examination
as it will keep them at ease and provide greater
accessibility and accuracy in assessing body parts.
SUMMARY

29. 
Assignment

30. 

31. 