Bed Positions: Fowler's, Orthopneic, Dorsal Recumbent, Prone, and Lateral, Exercises of Nursing

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Position of patient in

the bed

Fowler's position

• Semi-sitting position with various degrees of head

elevation with knees slightly elevated

Purposes: vary based on elevation

Semi-Fowler’s position (supported)

 Pillow to support head, neck, and upper back to prevent hyperextension of

neck.

 Pillow under forearms to eliminate pull on shoulder and assist venous blood

flow from hands and lower arms.

 Small pillow under thighs to flex knees to prevent hyperextension of knees.

 Trochanter roll lateral to femur to prevent external rotation of hips.

 Footboard to provide support for dorsiflexion and prevent plantar flexion of

feet (foot drop).

Semi-Fowler’s position (supported)

• Purposes of Semi-Fowler's position: To comfortably watch television or converse with visitors. After abdominal surgeries to relieve tension on incision. To assist patients who have difficulty breathing.

ORTHOPNEIC POSITION Sitting upright with head of bed elevated 90 degrees or on the side of the bed with feet flat on the floor, patient leaning slightly forward with arms raised and elbows flexed, supported on an overbed table. Frequently used by patients with respiratory problems Helps expand the chest and lungs to allow more oxygen to enter Purposes: To assist pt in severe respiratory distress, by allowing chest to expand to maximum capacity for moving air in and out of the lungs

Dorsal recumbent position (supported)

 • Pillow of suitable thickness under head and shoulders to prevent hyperextension of neck in if thick-chest person.  • Roll or small pillow under lumbar curvature to prevent posterior flexion of lumbar curvature.  • Roll or sandbag placed laterally to trochanter of femur to prevent external rotation of legs.  • Small pillow under thigh to flex knee slightly and prevent hyperextens iOn of knees.  • Footboard or rolled pillow to support feet in dorsiflexion and to prevent plantar flexion (foot drop).  • Pillow under lower legs to prevent pressure on heels.

Lateral position (supported)

 Pillow under head and neck to provide good alignment of sterncleidomastoid muscles.  Pillow under upper arm to place it in good alignment; owner arm should be flexed comfortably. Avoids internal rotation and adduction of shoulder.  Pillow under leg and thigh to place them in good alignment. Check that shoulders and hips are in straight alignment. These measures prevent internal rotation and adduction of femur and twisting of the spine.

Sims’ position (supported)

 Pillow to support head, maintaining it in good alignment unless drainage from the mouth is required.  Pillow under upper arm to prevent internal rotation of shoulder and arm.  Pillow under upper leg to support it in alignment and ro prevent internal rotation and adduction of hip and  Rolled towels to support feet in dorsifiexion to prevent foot drop.