POSITIONING CLIENTS Cheat Sheet by harpieee

Head of bed elevated to 30 degrees

Gastric feedings

Increased intrac­ranial pressure

Respir­atory illness

Head of bed elevated to 45-60 degrees

Postop­erative following abdominal surgery, thyroi­dec­tomy, or cataract removal

Bleeding esophageal varies

Head of bed elevated to 90 degrees

Respir­atory illness with dyspnea

Status asthma­ticus

Cardiac problems with dyspnea

During & after meals

Insertion of nasoga­stric tube

Lying on back, head, and shoulders; slightly elevated with a small pillow

Spinal cord injury (no pillow)

Lying on abdomen, legs extended, and head turned to the side

Pt who is immobi­lized or uncons­cious

Following pyelogram 12 to 24 hr (oil-based dye)

Lying on side with most of the body weight borne by the lateral aspect of the lower ilium

Postop­erative following tonsil­lec­tomy, adenoi­dec­tomy, and abdominal surgery

Seizures (head to side)

Postop­erative following liver biopsy (right side)

Lying on left side with most of the body weight borne by the anterior aspect of the ilium, humerus, and clavicle

Client who is uncons­cious

Lying on the back with hips and knees flexed at right angles and feet in stirrups

Perineal, rectal, & vaginal procedures

Head and body lowered while feet are elevated

Some surgeries

Supine with legs elevated

Shock

Head elevated while feet are lowered

Cervical traction

Elevate legs/feet or arms/hands by adjusting or supporting with pillows

Thromb­oph­lebitis

Edema

Supine with knees flexed

Urinary cathet­eri­zation of female

Abdominal data collection