Guide for Patient Positioning

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Guide for Patient Positioning

Supine Position
* The supine position is when a person lies on their back with their face looking up. 
* This is the most common position for medical examinations and procedures.

Prone Position
* The prone position is when a person lies on their stomach. 
* This position is sometimes used for medical procedures, such as surgery on the back.

Lateral Position
* The lateral position is when a person lies on their side. 
* It is commonly used for sleeping but can also be used for medical procedures. 
* The left lateral position is preferred for pregnant women because it improves blood flow to the uterus and baby.

Semi-Fowler position 
* The semi-Fowler position is a supine position where a person lies on their back with the head of the bed elevated between 30 & 45 degrees. 
* This position is often used to help people with breathing problems, such as heart failure or pneumonia. 
* It can also be used to improve comfort after surgery or during a long period of bed rest.

Trendelenburg Position
* The Trendelenburg position is a supine position with the head of the bed lowered and the foot of the bed elevated. 
* This position is used to improve blood flow to the head during surgery or shock.

Reverse Trendelenburg Position
* The reverse Trendelenburg position is a supine position with the head of the bed elevated and the foot of the bed lowered. 
* This position is sometimes used to improve blood flow to the legs during surgery. 
* It is also used for neck and head surgery and gynecological procedures because it reduces the flow of blood to those areas.

Lithotomy position
* The lithotomy position is a supine position with the hips and knees bent and the legs abducted (spread apart). 
* This position is used for gynecological examinations and procedures, as well as some other medical procedures.

Jackknife position
* The jackknife position is like a kneeling pose done lying down. 
* The patient lies on their stomach with hips bent high, and the head and legs are lowered. 
* This position allows surgeons better access to the abdomen and pelvis during certain procedures.

Orthopneic position
* The orthopneic position is a position that people with shortness of breath often assume to make breathing easier. 
* In this position, the person sits up with their feet supported on pillows or another surface. 
* This helps to open up the airways and improve airflow.