9/3/22, 8:30 PM Patient Positioning Cheat Sheet & Complete Guide for 2022 [Updated]
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Patient Positioning: Complete Guide
HOME » NOTES » PATIENT POSITIONING: COMPLETE GUIDE AND CHEAT SHEET FOR NURSES
and Cheat Sheet for Nurses
UPDATED ON JUNE 26, 2022 BY MATT VERA, BSN, R.N.
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,9/3/22, 8:30 PM Patient Positioning Cheat Sheet & Complete Guide for 2022 [Updated]
ANSWERSHEET
In this guide for patient positioning, learn about the common bed positions such as Fowler’s,
dorsal recumbent, supine, prone, lateral, lithotomy, Sims’, Trendelenburg’s, and other surgical
positions commonly used. Learn about the different patient positioning guidelines, how to
properly position the patient, and the nursing considerations and interventions you need to know.
1.What is Patient Positioning?
2.Goals of Patient Positioning
3.Guidelines for Patient Positioning
4.Common Patient Positions
4.1.Supine or Dorsal Recumbent Position
4.2.Fowler’s Position
4.3.Orthopneic or Tripod Position
4.4.Prone Position
4.5.Lateral Position
4.6.Sims’ Position
4.7.Lithotomy Position
4.8.Trendelenburg’s Position
4.9.Reverse Trendelenburg’s Position
4.10.Knee-Chest Position
4.11.Jackknife Position
4.12.Kidney Position
5.Support Devices for Patient Positioning
6.Documenting Patient Positioning
7.Cheat Sheet for Patient Positions
8.References and Sources
What is Patient Positioning?
https://nurseslabs.com/patient-positioning/ 2/34
,9/3/22, 8:30 PM Patient Positioning Cheat Sheet & Complete Guide for 2022 [Updated]
ANSWERSHEET
Patient positioning involves properly maintaining a patient’s neutral body alignment by
preventing hyperextension and extreme lateral rotation to prevent complications of immobility
and injury. Positioning patients is an essential aspect of nursing practice and a responsibility of
the registered nurse. In surgery, specimen collection, or other treatments, proper patient
positioning provides optimal exposure to the surgical/treatment site and maintenance of the
patient’s dignity by controlling unnecessary exposure. In most settings, proper positioning of
patients provides airway management and ventilation, maintains body alignment, and provides
physiologic safety.
Goals of Patient Positioning
The ultimate goal of proper patient positioning is to safeguard the patient from immobility injury
and physiological complications. Specifically, patient positioning goals include:
Provide patient comfort and safety. Support the patient’s airway and maintain
circulation throughout the procedure (e.g., surgery, examination, specimen collection, and
treatment). Impaired venous return to the heart and ventilation-to-perfusion mismatching
are common complications. Proper positioning promotes comfort by preventing nerve
damage and by preventing unnecessary extension or rotation of the body.
Maintaining patient dignity and privacy. In surgery, proper positioning is a way to
respect the patient’s dignity by minimizing exposure of the patient, who often feels
vulnerable perioperatively.
Allows maximum visibility and access. Proper positioning allows ease of surgical
access as well as for anesthetic administration during the perioperative phase.
Guidelines for Patient Positioning
Proper execution is needed during patient positioning to prevent injury for both the patient and
the nurse. Remember these principles and guidelines when positioning clients:
Explain the procedure. Explain to the client why their position is being changed and how
it will be done. Rapport with the patient will make them more likely to maintain the new
position.
Encourage the client to assist as much as possible. Determine if the client can fully or
partially assist. Clients that can assist will save strain on the nurse. It will also be a form of
exercise, increasing the client’s independence and self-esteem.
Get adequate help. When planning to move or reposition the client, ask for help from
other caregivers. Positioning may not be a one-person task.
Use mechanical aids. Bed boards, slide boards, pillows, patient lifts, and slings can
facilitate the ease of changing positions.
Raise the client’s bed. Adjust or reposition the client’s bed so that the weight is at the
nurse’s center of gravity level.
Frequent position changes. Note that any correct or incorrect position can be
detrimental to the patient if maintained for a long time. Repositioning the patient every two
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, 9/3/22, 8:30 PM Patient Positioning Cheat Sheet & Complete Guide for 2022 [Updated]
ANSWERSHEET
hours helps prevent complications like pressure ulcers and skin breakdown.
Avoid friction and shearing. When moving patients, lift rather than slide to prevent
friction that can abrade the skin making it more prone to skin breakdown.
Proper body mechanics. Observe good body mechanics for your and your patient’s safety.
Position yourself close to the client.
Avoid twisting your back, neck, and pelvis by keeping them aligned.
Flex your knees and keep your feet wide apart.
Use your arms and legs and not your back.
Tighten abdominal muscles and gluteal muscles in preparation for the move.
A person with the heaviest load coordinates the efforts of the nurse and initiates the
count to 3.
Common Patient Positions
The following are the commonly used patient positions, including a description of how they are
performed and the rationale:
Supine or Dorsal Recumbent Position
Supine position, or dorsal recumbent, is wherein the patient lies flat on the back
with head and shoulders slightly elevated using a pillow unless contraindicated (e.g.,
spinal anesthesia, spinal surgery).
4 https://nurseslabs.com/patient-positioning/ 4/34
ANSWERSHEET
Menu
Patient Positioning: Complete Guide
HOME » NOTES » PATIENT POSITIONING: COMPLETE GUIDE AND CHEAT SHEET FOR NURSES
and Cheat Sheet for Nurses
UPDATED ON JUNE 26, 2022 BY MATT VERA, BSN, R.N.
ADVERTISEMENTS
https://nurseslabs.com/patient-positioning/ 1/34
,9/3/22, 8:30 PM Patient Positioning Cheat Sheet & Complete Guide for 2022 [Updated]
ANSWERSHEET
In this guide for patient positioning, learn about the common bed positions such as Fowler’s,
dorsal recumbent, supine, prone, lateral, lithotomy, Sims’, Trendelenburg’s, and other surgical
positions commonly used. Learn about the different patient positioning guidelines, how to
properly position the patient, and the nursing considerations and interventions you need to know.
1.What is Patient Positioning?
2.Goals of Patient Positioning
3.Guidelines for Patient Positioning
4.Common Patient Positions
4.1.Supine or Dorsal Recumbent Position
4.2.Fowler’s Position
4.3.Orthopneic or Tripod Position
4.4.Prone Position
4.5.Lateral Position
4.6.Sims’ Position
4.7.Lithotomy Position
4.8.Trendelenburg’s Position
4.9.Reverse Trendelenburg’s Position
4.10.Knee-Chest Position
4.11.Jackknife Position
4.12.Kidney Position
5.Support Devices for Patient Positioning
6.Documenting Patient Positioning
7.Cheat Sheet for Patient Positions
8.References and Sources
What is Patient Positioning?
https://nurseslabs.com/patient-positioning/ 2/34
,9/3/22, 8:30 PM Patient Positioning Cheat Sheet & Complete Guide for 2022 [Updated]
ANSWERSHEET
Patient positioning involves properly maintaining a patient’s neutral body alignment by
preventing hyperextension and extreme lateral rotation to prevent complications of immobility
and injury. Positioning patients is an essential aspect of nursing practice and a responsibility of
the registered nurse. In surgery, specimen collection, or other treatments, proper patient
positioning provides optimal exposure to the surgical/treatment site and maintenance of the
patient’s dignity by controlling unnecessary exposure. In most settings, proper positioning of
patients provides airway management and ventilation, maintains body alignment, and provides
physiologic safety.
Goals of Patient Positioning
The ultimate goal of proper patient positioning is to safeguard the patient from immobility injury
and physiological complications. Specifically, patient positioning goals include:
Provide patient comfort and safety. Support the patient’s airway and maintain
circulation throughout the procedure (e.g., surgery, examination, specimen collection, and
treatment). Impaired venous return to the heart and ventilation-to-perfusion mismatching
are common complications. Proper positioning promotes comfort by preventing nerve
damage and by preventing unnecessary extension or rotation of the body.
Maintaining patient dignity and privacy. In surgery, proper positioning is a way to
respect the patient’s dignity by minimizing exposure of the patient, who often feels
vulnerable perioperatively.
Allows maximum visibility and access. Proper positioning allows ease of surgical
access as well as for anesthetic administration during the perioperative phase.
Guidelines for Patient Positioning
Proper execution is needed during patient positioning to prevent injury for both the patient and
the nurse. Remember these principles and guidelines when positioning clients:
Explain the procedure. Explain to the client why their position is being changed and how
it will be done. Rapport with the patient will make them more likely to maintain the new
position.
Encourage the client to assist as much as possible. Determine if the client can fully or
partially assist. Clients that can assist will save strain on the nurse. It will also be a form of
exercise, increasing the client’s independence and self-esteem.
Get adequate help. When planning to move or reposition the client, ask for help from
other caregivers. Positioning may not be a one-person task.
Use mechanical aids. Bed boards, slide boards, pillows, patient lifts, and slings can
facilitate the ease of changing positions.
Raise the client’s bed. Adjust or reposition the client’s bed so that the weight is at the
nurse’s center of gravity level.
Frequent position changes. Note that any correct or incorrect position can be
detrimental to the patient if maintained for a long time. Repositioning the patient every two
https://nurseslabs.com/patient-positioning/ 3/34 3
, 9/3/22, 8:30 PM Patient Positioning Cheat Sheet & Complete Guide for 2022 [Updated]
ANSWERSHEET
hours helps prevent complications like pressure ulcers and skin breakdown.
Avoid friction and shearing. When moving patients, lift rather than slide to prevent
friction that can abrade the skin making it more prone to skin breakdown.
Proper body mechanics. Observe good body mechanics for your and your patient’s safety.
Position yourself close to the client.
Avoid twisting your back, neck, and pelvis by keeping them aligned.
Flex your knees and keep your feet wide apart.
Use your arms and legs and not your back.
Tighten abdominal muscles and gluteal muscles in preparation for the move.
A person with the heaviest load coordinates the efforts of the nurse and initiates the
count to 3.
Common Patient Positions
The following are the commonly used patient positions, including a description of how they are
performed and the rationale:
Supine or Dorsal Recumbent Position
Supine position, or dorsal recumbent, is wherein the patient lies flat on the back
with head and shoulders slightly elevated using a pillow unless contraindicated (e.g.,
spinal anesthesia, spinal surgery).
4 https://nurseslabs.com/patient-positioning/ 4/34
