Question

1. How is a patient positioned when properly positioned in the supine, prone, and sidelying positions?

2. How is a patient properly turned from supine to prone, supine to sidelying, sidelying to prone, sidelying to supine, and prone to supine?

Answer 1

1. Supine position : Patient lies flat on back. Additional supportive devices may be added for comfort.

Prone position : Patient lies on stomach with head turned to side.

Side lying position : Patient lies on the side of the body with the top leg over the bottom leg .

2. Turning patient from supine to prone : - place the hand under the patient on the side you are rolling towards .Keep 3 pillows on the patient one over the chest , one over stomach and one on knees .Then over the pillow spread a bedsheet.Tuck that bedsheet on the sides of the patient. Turn the patient to one side . Then turn again to the prone position.

Turning patient from supine to side lying: - with one hand grasp the patient's hip and with other hand grasp patient's shoulder. Then roll the patient to the side.

Turning patient from side lying to prone :- Move the patient to one side of the bed then keep one hand on the shoulder and the other hand on the thighs . Then turn the patient to the prone position.  

Turning the patient side lying to supine :- With proper support turn the patient to lie on his back .

Turning patient from prone to supine :- therapist should stand on the side to which the patient will roll. Position the patient's head so that he is looking up and over his shoulder . Then turn to one side and again turn to the supine position.