Question

Select and describe and/or demonstrate appropriate turning and positioning procedures.

Provide an appropriate rationale for choices.

Document interventions provided.

1. The patient is a 59-year-old male with right hemiplegia 1 day after surgery to remove a blood clot. He presents with mild spasticity in both right extremities, minimal active movement of the right ex

2. The patient is a 12-year-old with moderate spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy who is hospitalized for management of pneumonia.

3. The patient is a 75-year-old with a fractured right hip 1 day after total hip replacement.

Answer 1

Proper positioning of patient helps to promote speedy recovery as well as prevent cmplications.Proper position promote patient comfort,decrease fatigue,manage pressure,assist safer eating,normalise tone ,facilitate normal movement pattern,provide stable base support etc.It helps to prevent complications such as aspiration,pressure sores ,contractures,swelling of extrimities etc.

In the first case patient underwent a surgery.So it is not easy to make him sit soon with hemiplegia.Side lying on the unaffected side is the best position for this patient.The affected arm and legs should be supported with pillow.Keep the elbow straight and the knee bent.The stroke leg should be brought far enough in front of the body to prevent the patient rolling on the back.A small pillow can be placed under the waist of the patient to maintain the line of spine.The patient should have only two pillows under the head.

In the second case the child has moderate spastic quadriplegia with pneumonia.The best position at the time of pneumonia is either lie on your side with a pillow between legs and head should be elivated with pillows and keep back straight.Or thechild can lie on his back with head elivated anmd knees bent with pillow under the knees.

Most of the patients are able to walk on the same day of hip replacement surgery. The best position to sleep after this surgery is on your back with a pillow between the legs.The patient can also sleep on the non operative side with two pillows between the legs.