Proper Positioning

Facilitate proper positioning of your patient

Air embolism - Turn patient on left side and lower head
of the bed this will cause the air to rise in the right atrium to prevent it from being carried in to the systemic circulation

Appendicitis -If unruptured any position of comfort, If ruptured elevate head of the bed

Asthma -Sitting position , leaning forward

Autonomic dysreflexia - high fowlers, to prevent hypertensive stroke

Bronchoscopy -Semi Fowlers

Bronchiolitis -Semi fowlers

Cardiac catheterization -Keep insertion sites extended

Cast -Elevate extremity

Cataract surgery - Semi fowlers post OP
Cerebral aneurysm- Semi fowlers, to prevent pressure , aneurysm site
Cleft lip post op - Supine to prevent pressure on suture line
Cleft palate -Prone, to prevent aspiration
CHF -High fowlers
Craniotomy- If supratentorial – semi fowlers
If infratentorial - Flat , for drainage
CVA -Semi fowlers
Dumping syndrome -Supine after meals

Epistaxis -Leaning forward

Flail chest -Neutral, semi fowlers

Femoro –popliteal by pass graft - keep extremity extended
Hemorroidectomy - Side lying
Hiatal hernia - Upright position after meals
Hip surgery - Keep legs in abduction
Hypophysectomy - elevate head , 15 degrees
Increased ICP - elevate head 15 degrees
Laminectomy - Keep back as straight as possible
Laryngectomy - Semi fowlers
Liver biopsy - Right side lying post procedure
Lobectomy - Semi fowlers
Lumbar puncture - Lateral sidelying during the procedure Flat after procedure
Mastectomy - Elevate the extremity of the affected side

Note- Usually the Nclex will ask you positioning mostly in prioritization questions.