COMMON POSITIONS
POSITIONING
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Asthma - orthopneic
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Autonomic Dysreflexia - high Fowler’s
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Post Bronchoscopy - flat on bed w/ head
hyperextended
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Cardiac Catheterization - keep site extended
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Cast - elevate affected extremity
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Cataract - affected side up
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Cerebral Aneurysm - high Fowler’s
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Cleft Lip - supine
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Cleft Palate - prone
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Congestive Heart Failure - high Fowler’s
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Craniotomy
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Supratentorial - semi-Fowler’s
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Infratentorial - flat on bed w/ affected side up
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Dumping Syndrome - flat on bed or LEFT
side-lying
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Epistaxis - lean forward
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Hemorrhoidectomy - lie on UNAFFECTED side
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Hiatal Hernia - upright
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Hip Surgery - legs abducted & externally
rotated
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Increased ICP - high Fowler’s
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Laminectomy - back as straight as possible; log
roll to move; sand bag on sides
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Liver Biopsy - RIGHT side lying with towel on
side
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Lobectomy - lie on UNAFFECTED side
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Lumbar Puncture
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During - “shrimp” position
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After - flat on bed
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Mastectomy - elevate affected extremity
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Myelogram
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Water-Based Dye - semi-Fowler’s
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Oil-based Dye - flat on bed
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Air Dye - Trendelenburg
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Paracentesis - flat on bed or sitting
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Pelvic Exam - lithotomy
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Post Peritonitis - high Fowler’s
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Pneumonectomy - lie on AFFECTED side
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Postural Drainage - AFFECTED side up
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Pulmonary Edema - upright
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Pyloric Stenosis - RIGHT side-lying after meals
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Radium Implant - flat on bed
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Rectal Exam - knee-chest, Sims’, or dorsal
recumbent
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Renal Failure - high biologic value proteins
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Retinal Detachment - affected side down
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Seizure - side-lying
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Shock - modified Trendelenburg
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Thyroidectomy - semi-Fowler’s
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Thrombophlebitis - elevate affected extremity
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Thoracentesis
o
During - sitting on the side of the bed and
leaning over the table
o
After - affected side up
