Chapter 3: Safer Patient Handling, Positioning, Transfers and Ambulation
3.9 Positioning Patients in Bed
Critical Thinking Exercises: Questions, Answers, and Sources / References
Critical thinking questions are in bold type, and the answers are italicized. Additional resources or references are provided below.
- Your patient is experiencing shortness of breath related to heart failure. Which position in bed might best help people with this condition?
Fowlers, High Fowlers, orthopnic, or tripod positon
Sources:
Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., & Ostendorf, W. R. (2017). Clinical nursing skills and techniques (9th ed.). Elsevier; Mosby.
Potter, P., Perry, A., et al (2019). Canadian fundamentals of nursing (6th ed.). Elsevier; Mosby.
2. Consider how a mechanical assistive device might help with re-positioning a patient in bed.
Consider using slings and an overhead lift to physically move the patient in bed (up and down, and side to side) while repositioning a person in bed. Use pillows or foam wedges to provide support with positioning.
Sample Quiz Questions
- A healthcare provider completes a risk assessment for a patient and determines the patient is unable to assist with re-positioning. Place the following steps in the correct order that they should be completed.
a. Additional help is required.
b. Raise the bed to waist level.
c. Ensure transfer sheets are in place.
d. Use weight shift techniques to slide the patient in bed.
e. Designate a leader who will count to coordinate health team effort.
f. Position the patient ensuring body alignment and comfort
g. Ensure bed is in the lowest position and call bell is within reach.
Sources:
Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., & Ostendorf, W. R. (2017). Clinical nursing skills and techniques (9th ed.). Elsevier; Mosby.
Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). (2010). Workplace health – Safe patient handling [Online courses]. http://learn.phsa.ca/phsa/patienthandling/