Programs

Blog

Prone Position

Written by Hollie Finders, RN
Hollie Finders is a registered nurse with years of experience working in the health care field. She has degrees in both biochemistry and nursing. After working with patients of all ages, Hollie now specializes in pediatric intensive care nursing. Hollie’s LinkedIn

Procedure

Equipment needed: pillow.

  1. Perform hand hygiene.
  2. Explain the procedure to the patient and ask for his or her assistance in following directions.
  3. Lock the bed wheels and raise the bed to a comfortable working height.
  4. Lower the side rail on the working side. Ensure the opposite side rail is raised.
  5. Lower the head of the bed until the bed is completely flat.
  6. If the patient is in the supine position, move the patient to the side of bed and turn the patient onto his or her side.
  7. Once the patient is side lying, decide if there is enough room to complete the roll onto the patient’s stomach.
  8. If there is not enough room, move the patient to the side of the bed while he or she remains in a side lying position.
  9. When there is adequate room, complete the roll by assisting the patient onto his or her stomach.
  10. Ensure the patient’s head is turned onto its side. Place a pillow under the head for comfort. Pillows or rolled towels can also optionally be placed under the abdomen and the shins to help maintain proper body alignment.
  11. Position the hands at the patient’s sides or flex the arms and allow the hands to rest next to the patient’s face.
  12. Ensure the patient is comfortable, return the side rails to their original position, lower the bed, and make sure the call light is within the patient’s reach.
  13. Perform hand hygiene.
  14. Document the procedure in the patient’s chart and report any changes in the patient’s condition to the nurse.

Important Information About the Prone Position

Prone position is not used as commonly as other patient positions. This position allows for full extension of the hips and the knees and gives many bony prominences a break from continuous pressure. However, placing patients in prone position does not come without the risks of pressure ulcers. In the prone position, there is excess pressure placed on areas of the forehead, chin, clavicles, chest, pelvis, knees, and feet [1]. For this reason, it is important to continue to reposition patients at least every two hours.

In the prone position, many patients can experience adverse effects if the body is not properly aligned and supported. Patients who suffer from hyperextension of the back in the prone position can benefit from a pillow or towel roll placed under the abdomen. This helps reduce extreme curvature of the back, and ultimately, reduces pain. A pillow placed under the patient’s shins will help support the legs and ankles and prevent foot drop. Depending on the patient’s condition, prone position may not be recommended. Always consult with the nurse before turning the patient prone.

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4390897/

More Resources

Partial Bed Bath

Bathing is an important part of a patient’s health routine. A partial bed bath focuses on bathing sensitive areas that cause discomfort if not cleansed frequently, such as the face, hands, axillae, back, and perineum. Though patients receiving a bed bath are typically confined to the bed, some are able to wash themselves and should be encouraged to do so to promote independence.

Moving the Resident from a Bed to a Stretcher or Gurney

Moving a patient from a bed to a stretcher can pose huge safety risks to both the patient and to the health care workers completing the transfer. Always use the appropriate amount of people to complete a transfer, which may vary according to the patient’s weight and/or the facility’s policy. In some cases, a mechanical lift may be needed.

Offering the Bedpan

When a resident is bed-bound, they must use a bedpan to urinate and defecate. This can be embarrassing for the resident, so it should be done with sensitivity to the resident’s privacy and dignity. There are two types of bedpans. A regular bedpan is the deeper and more rounded of the two. A fracture pan has a relatively flat upper end with a trough at the lower end. Fracture pans are used for residents who have difficulty, or restrictions against, moving their hips and/or backs.

Indwelling Catheter Care

Indwelling catheters allow urine to drain from the bladder. They are used when residents are unable to urinate on their own or when the process of cleaning the resident after urination would be difficult for the resident to tolerate (such as during end of life care). Caring for the catheter appropriately is a vital part of preventing infection and skin breakdown.

Performing the Heimlich Maneuver

The Heimlich Maneuver, also known as abdominal thrusts, is used to remove an object that is blocking a resident’s airway and preventing air from reaching the lungs. It only takes four to six minutes for brain damage to occur from lack of oxygen, so prompt action is vital.

Making an Occupied Bed

If a patient is bedridden or on bedrest, the bed linens will need to be changed while the patient is in the bed. For safety reasons, the nurse’s aid should avoid making an occupied bed if the patient is able to get out of bed. Bed linens should be changed according to the facility’s policy or anytime they are wet or soiled.

Empowering people to heal the world.
TwitterFacebook-fPinterestInstagram

Entry-Level Programs

Advanced Nursing Degrees

More Healthcare Careers

Find CNA Programs in Your State

Find LPN/LVN Programs in Your State

Find Medical Assisting Programs in Your State

Find RN Programs in Your State

Find MSN Programs in Your State

Find NP Programs in Your State

Find DNP Programs in Your State

Graduate-Level Concentrations