NCLEX-CGFNS: Patient Positioning

The concept of patient positioning is important to understand as preparing for NCLEX or CGFNS. What position will you place your patient in? That is the question you can ask to yourself. Specific position will aggravate or lessen the patient condition.

Abdominal aneurysm surgery: Fowler position to prevent pressure on the graft.
Air embolism: Left side position and lower head of the bed to promote air to the right atrium and prevent to be carried to the systemic circulation.
Appendicitis: Any position if unruptured, and semi fowler if ruptured.
Asthma: Sitting position, leaning forward, to promote patient breathing
Autonomic dysreflexia: High fowler. It will prevent patient from hypertension stroke.
Bronchoscopy: Semi Fowler, to prevent aspiration after procedure.
Broncholitis: Tripod position.
Cast: elevate extremity to prevent edema.
Cataract surgery: Semi fowler to prevent edema at the operative site.
Cerebral aneurysm: Semi fowler.
Cleft lip: Supine after operation, prevent pressure on the suture line.
Cleft palate: Prone position.
Congestive heart failure: High Fowler that improve oxygenation.

Craniotomy: Semi fowler if supratentorial, and Flat if infratentorial that can promote drainage from the head.
Cerebro vascular accident: Elevate the head to reduce intra cranial pressure.
Dumping syndrome: Supine position after meal. It prevents rapid emptying or the stomach.
Epistaxis: Leaning forward to prevent blood aspiration.
Flail chest: Keep patient on affected side to promote expansion of the unaffected lung.
Hemorroidectomy: Side lying.
Hiatal hernia: Upright position after meals to prevent reflux of stomach contents.
Hip surgery: Legs in abduction position that can prevent dislodge of the head of the femur from acetabulum.
Hypophysectomy: Elevate head of the bed to prevent increase intracranial pressure
Increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP): Elevate head of the bed.
Laminectomy: Prevent twisting of the spine with keeping the back as straight as possible.
Laryngectomy: Semi fowler for maintaining airway and reduce edema.
Liver biopsy: Right side position post procedure to prevent patient from bleeding.
Lobectomy: Semi fowler
Lumbar puncture: Lateral side lying during procedure and flat after procedure.
Mastectomy: Elevate the extremity of the affected side (on pillow) to prevent edema.
Myelogram: Elevate the head if water based dye was used, and flat if oil based dye was used.
Placenta previa: Sitting position that can minimize bleeding.
Prolapse cord: Knee-chest Position to prevent pressure on the cord.
Pulmonary edema: Fowler position.
Pyloric stenosis: Right side lying position after meal, to facilitate entry of the stomach contents into the intestines.
Radium implant in the cervix: Flat to prevent dislodge of the implant.
Retinal detachment: The affected side toward the bed to help the detached retina to fall back in place.
Seizure: Side lying position
Shock: Modified trendelenburg to promote venous return.
Spinal cord injury: Immobilize the patient
Thoracentesis: Fowler position during procedure and any position after
Thrombophlebitis: Bed rest and elevate the affected leg to promote circulation
Thyroidectomy: Semi Fowler ad avoid hyperflexion and hyperextension of the neck.
Tonsillectomy: Sidelying or prone
Total Parenteral Nutrition: Trendelenburg during tube insertion to prevent air embolism
Tracheoesophagel Fistula (TEF): Supine with the head elevated at least 30 degrees
Varicose veins: elevate the legs above the level of heart
Vein stripping and ligation: Legs are elevated to prevent venous stasis