Fundamental of Nurs ing أساسيات التمريض
Lecture "9" / Body Mechanics; Body Positions, Principle of Body
Mechanics, Importance of Exercises, Common Dangers
of Immobility.
Body mechanics - is a term used to describe the physical coordination of
all parts of the body.
Fundamentals of Body Mechanics;
1. Base of support.
2. Center of gravity (In human, the center of gravity when standing is
located in the center of pelvis about midway between the umbilicus
and symphysis pubis).
3. Using muscles for designated activities.
Patient Positions: It is important to consider patient age, health status,
mobility, physical condition and energy level and privacy. Many positions
need assistance from others.
1. Standing (Erect, Anatomical) position- to assess posture, gait and
balance.
2. Sitting position- to visualize the upper part of the body, and to assess
vital signs, to assess the head, neck, posterior & anterior thorax, breasts,
heart and upper extremities, and to check extremities reflexes.
3. Supine position- to assess head, neck, anterior thorax, lungs, breasts,
heart, abdomen, extremities and peripheral pulses.
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, Fundamental of Nurs ing أساسيات التمريض
4. Dorsal-Recumbent position- similar to that of supine position in
addition to assessment to perineal area.
5. Prone position- to assess the hip joint, supine, posterior thorax, and for
intramuscular injection.
6. Sim's position- to assess the rectum and vagina.
7. Fowler position- for any condition require maximal chest expansion as
cardiac or respiratory distress, also for oral hygiene and gastric feeding.
8. Lithotomy position- to assess the female rectum and vagina, and for
delivery.
9. Knee-Chest position- to assess rectum, hemorrhoids, ascitis.
10. Trendlenburg position- for shock and hemorrhage.
62
Lecture "9" / Body Mechanics; Body Positions, Principle of Body
Mechanics, Importance of Exercises, Common Dangers
of Immobility.
Body mechanics - is a term used to describe the physical coordination of
all parts of the body.
Fundamentals of Body Mechanics;
1. Base of support.
2. Center of gravity (In human, the center of gravity when standing is
located in the center of pelvis about midway between the umbilicus
and symphysis pubis).
3. Using muscles for designated activities.
Patient Positions: It is important to consider patient age, health status,
mobility, physical condition and energy level and privacy. Many positions
need assistance from others.
1. Standing (Erect, Anatomical) position- to assess posture, gait and
balance.
2. Sitting position- to visualize the upper part of the body, and to assess
vital signs, to assess the head, neck, posterior & anterior thorax, breasts,
heart and upper extremities, and to check extremities reflexes.
3. Supine position- to assess head, neck, anterior thorax, lungs, breasts,
heart, abdomen, extremities and peripheral pulses.
61
, Fundamental of Nurs ing أساسيات التمريض
4. Dorsal-Recumbent position- similar to that of supine position in
addition to assessment to perineal area.
5. Prone position- to assess the hip joint, supine, posterior thorax, and for
intramuscular injection.
6. Sim's position- to assess the rectum and vagina.
7. Fowler position- for any condition require maximal chest expansion as
cardiac or respiratory distress, also for oral hygiene and gastric feeding.
8. Lithotomy position- to assess the female rectum and vagina, and for
delivery.
9. Knee-Chest position- to assess rectum, hemorrhoids, ascitis.
10. Trendlenburg position- for shock and hemorrhage.
62
