Positional Medical terms by Aletse Montelongo

Prone position

amontelongo3700 — 2025-01-16 15:55:59 UTC

Prone: in a horizontal position, with the face and upper body facing down.

For patients that have severe facial injuries that may compromise the airway.
Also seen in patients with SOB or respiratory distress

Prone as in you are just thrown face forward, you are facing down.

Trendelenburg

amontelongo3700 — 2025-01-16 16:00:34 UTC

Trendelenburg: the body is laying supine, or flat on the back on a 15–30 degree incline with the feet elevated above the head.

This can be used for patients who experience hypotension or tachycardia, and need the cardiac output to remain in the main organs, of the thoracic cavity.

Trendelenburg is just your legs elevated higher than your head or body.

Supine position

pedrosamuelestrada — 2025-01-16 16:08:46 UTC

Supine: When a patient is laying flat on the back and facing the up, with palms out facing forward, and toes slightly outward.

This position is used on Major Medical/Trauma patients that provides easy access to the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.
this position also allows procedures such as chest compressions and airway management while maintaining Spinal Stabilization.

Supine: patient lies on their back with their face and torso facing up

Fowlers position

pedrosamuelestrada — 2025-01-16 16:11:46 UTC

Fowler's position: a patient lays on the back facing up at an angle of 45 to 60 degrees. This position can have the legs bent or flat.

this can be seen in patients who have abdominal pain, since they can't extend their legs, which reduces the tension from the abdomen.
This can also be seen in COPD, or other respiratory distress patients, since patients who are laying down and have respiratory failure may continue to feel SOB.

Fowlers postion is the go to position for every patient

Lateral recumbent position

rcarranza5626 — 2025-01-16 16:15:17 UTC

Lateral recumbent position: The patient is put to their side depending on their emergency is laid left or right. For example, when treating a pregnant patient they are put on their left side to relief some pressure to inferior vena cava and to prevent any spinal complications

this can be seen in patients who are pregnant relieving spinal pressure
also known as the "Recovery Position" for patients who are unconscious but maintain a stable airway and pulse

Lateral Recumbent-a position where a person lies on their side, either on their left or right side

Semi fowlers-position

pedrosamuelestrada — 2025-01-16 16:15:54 UTC

Semi-fowlers position: is a modified position in which patient head is lowered from 45 degrees to 30 degrees. With the legs bent or flat.

This is seen commonly with all patients during transportation and in hospital beds.
It can also be seen of the position of comfort, which allows adequate breathing from the patient.

Semi Fowlers because its kind of the same, but this has a more decreased head rest

Recovery position

pedrosamuelestrada — 2025-01-16 16:18:30 UTC

Recovery position: is used to maintain a person's air way when patient is unresponsive but breathing.

This is used for patients who are semi-conscious and are prone to vomitus or secretions obstructing the airway
Also in patients who were drowning and can at any point after CPR (if pulse less) throw up water
Keep the tongue from blocking the airway

Recovery position---recovering their airway

Tripod position

amontelongo3700 — 2025-01-16 16:23:52 UTC

Tripod: is a sitting position where an individual leans slightly forward with their arms propped up on an over bed table or their knees. In the tripod position, it causes the diaphragm to move downward increasing chest volume, meaning more air can enter the body relieving the feeling of SOB.

the reason behind the tripod position is that it allows for the lungs to maximize lung expansion by utilizing accessory muscles, if severe respiratory distress.

Tripod position---think of a tripod for cameras

In this case the hands on the knees are the stable base, with the lean forward helps enhance that deep breath in and out.

Recumbent position

pedrosamuelestrada — 2025-01-16 16:31:31 UTC

Recumbent position: means to lay down on the back, abdomen, left side or right side.

this can be seen in patients who are pregnant experiencing hypotension and need their pressure off the vena cava.

Recum-bent, you are bent over to your side

Lithotomy position

rcarranza5626 — 2025-01-16 16:31:35 UTC

Lithotomy position: Patient is lying on the stretcher on their back with knees bent at a 90 degree angle with feet secured in stirrups would be used on pregnant patient in imminent delivery.

Sniffing position

amontelongo3700 — 2025-01-16 16:38:55 UTC

Sniffing position: when found it refers to positioning their head by flexing the neck slightly and extending the head outwards.

to improve visualization of the larynx during direct laryngoscopy
most commonly used for tracheal intubation
Mostly used for patient who are either obese or patients who have limited head extension

sniffing position: the neck is flexed on the chest 35 degrees, and extended 15 degrees for the head

Knees to chest position

pedrosamuelestrada — 2025-01-16 16:42:00 UTC

Knees to Chest: In this position, patient lays down on the back and pulls the knees towards the chest and hold the legs with the arms under the knees.

this can be seen for surgeries, examinations, or in labor and delivery.
this position is also seen for prolapsed cords, breech pregnancies, or even observations for sexual assault.

Knee to Chest is seen in the field as (KC) position