Medical Bed
Positions
BE FIRST + BE READY+ BE THERE!
PREPARED BY: CHARLOTTE Y. CANSINO BSA,
BSFT, RN, MN, MPA
CHO-CDOC
● Orthopneic position: sitting
upright with arms
supported on a table or
pillows
● Helps relieve shortness of
breath or difficulty
breathing
relieve shortness of breath in patients with
respiratory distress, such as those with heart
failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD), or pneumonia. By sitting up and
leaning forward, the patient can improve their
lung expansion and decrease the work of
breathing, which can make it easier for them
to breathe. This position may also be used
during certain medical procedures, such as
thoracentesis (the removal of fluid from around
● Lithotomy position: lying on back with legs raised and feet supported
in stirrups
● Used for medical procedures involving the genitals, urinary tract, or
rectum
● Allows for better access to the area being operated on (labor and
delivery)
ROSE’S POSITION
Knee chest position involves kneeling down and placing the chest on the
ground while keeping the knees bent.
It is used in some medical procedures such as rectal exams, colonoscopies,
and childbirth.
The position helps to increase access and visibility to the pelvic area and
can also relieve pressure in the lower back.
Also known as genepectural position which means the whole body is
supported by the knees and chest
Dorsal recumbent position involves lying flat on your back with
knees bent and feet flat on the bed/floor.
It is often used for medical exams, such as pelvic exams or
urinary catheterization, as it allows easy access to the genital
area.
It can also be used as a relaxation position during labor or to
relieve back pain
Variation in
position
Most commonly
used position.
Watch out for skin
breakdown.
Support for supine
position.
Supine position in
surgery.
examination or physical
assessment.
Extension of hips and
knee joints
Contraindicated for
spine problems
Drainage of
secretions.
Placing support in
prone.
Lateral position
The patient lies on the side of the body
with the top leg over the bottom leg and
the hip and knee flexed. This position
helps relieve pressure on the coccyx.
Support pillows are needed to correctly
position the patient in a lateral position.
increased patient comfort; prevention of
pressure injury; and reduced deep vein
thrombosis, pulmonary emboli,
atelectasis, and pneumonia.
Pregnant women are generally
recommended to rest in the left-lateral
position (l-lat.) to avoid caval compression
•Prevents aspiration of fluids. Sims’ may
be used for unconscious clients because it
facilitates drainage from the mouth and
prevents aspiration of fluids.
•Reduces lower body pressure. It is also
used for paralyzed clients because it
reduces pressure over the sacrum and
greater trochanter of the hip.
•Perineal area visualization and
treatment. It is often used for clients
receiving enemas and occasionally for
clients undergoing examinations or
treatments of the perineal area.
•Pregnant women comfort. Pregnant
women may find the Sims position
comfortable for sleeping.
•Promote body alignment with
pillows. Support proper body alignment in
Sims’ position by placing a pillow
underneath the patient’s head and under
the upper arm to prevent internal rotation.
Place another pillow between the legs.
.
Preferred position to combat respiratory
distress syndrome. Due to the positioning
of the bed, Standard Fowler's position
allows for better chest expansion,
improving breathing by facilitating
oxygenation.
High Fowler's position (Full Fowler's
position): head of the bed raised between
60 and 90 degrees. High Fowler's position
is usually prescribed to elderly patients as
it is scientifically proven to aid in the
digestion process and help the patient
overcome breathing problem
his position reduces central fluid volume
due to decreased venous return from the
periphery, which prevents worsening
heart failure s. NGT FEEDING
Low Fowler's position:
head of the bed raised
15-30 degrees. This
position can be used
post-procedure, to
reduce lower back pain,
administer drugs and
prevent aspiration
during tube feeding.
Semi Fowler's position: head of the bed
raised 30-45 degrees. Semi Fowler’s
Position can be used when the patient
faces difficulty breathing or is undergoing
breathing treatments and when drainage
occurs after an abdominoplasty.
Semi Fowler's position preferred position
to combat respiratory distress syndrome.
Due to the positioning of the bed,
Standard Fowler's position allows for
better chest expansion, improving
breathing by facilitating oxygenation.
.
Promotes
venous return
Postural
drainage
it should be
avoided in
individuals with
head injuries or
known intracranial
hypertension.
Gastrointestinal
problems
Prevent rapid
change of
position
Prevent
esophageal
reflux.
