POSITIONING TIPS FOR NCLEX EXAM

 POSITIONING TIPS FOR NCLEX EXAM

1. Air/Pulmonary Embolism (S&S: chest pain, difficulty breathing, tachycardia, pale/cyanotic, sense of impending doom) --> turn pt to left side and lower the head of the bed.

2. Woman in Labor w/ Un-reassuring FHR (late decels, decreased variability, fetal bradycardia, etc) --> turn on left side (and give O2, stop Pitocin, increase IV fluids)

3. Tube Feeding w/ Decreased LOC --> position pt on right side (promotes emptying of the stomach) with the HOB elevated (to prevent aspiration)

4. During Epidural Puncture --> side-lying

5. After Lumbar Puncture (and also oil-based Myelogram)--> pt lies in flat supine (to prevent headache and leaking of CSF)

6. Pt w/ Heat Stroke --> lie flat w/ legs elevated

7. During Continuous Bladder Irrigation (CBI) --> catheter is taped to thigh so leg should be kept straight. No other positioning restrictions.

8. After Myringotomy --> position on side of affected ear after surgery (allows drainage of secretions)

9. After Cataract Surgery --> pt will sleep on unaffected side with a night shield for 1-4 weeks.

10. After Thyroidectomy --> low or semi-Fowler's, support head, neck and shoulders.

11. Infant w/ Spina Bifida --> position prone (on abdomen) so that sac does not rupture

12. Buck's Traction (skin traction) --> elevate foot of bed for counter-traction

13. After Total Hip Replacement --> don't sleep on operated side, don't flex hip more than 45-60 degrees, don't elevate HOB more than 45 degrees. Maintain hip abduction by separating thighs with pillows.

14. Prolapsed Cord --> knee-chest position or Trendelenburg

15. Infant w/ Cleft Lip --> position on back or in infant seat to prevent trauma to suture line. While feeding, hold in upright position.

16. To Prevent Dumping Syndrome (post-operative ulcer/stomach surgeries) --> eat in reclining position, lie down after meals for 20-30 minutes (also restrict fluids during meals, low CHO and fiber diet, small frequent meals)

17. Above Knee Amputation --> elevate for first 24 hours on pillow, position prone daily to provide for hip extension.

18. Below Knee Amputation --> foot of bed elevated for first 24 hours, position prone daily to provide for hip extension.

19. Detached Retina --> area of detachment should be in the dependent position

20. Administration of Enema --> position pt in left side-lying (Sim's) with knee flexed

21. After Supratentorial Surgery (incision behind hairline) --> elevate HOB 30-45 degrees

22. After Infratentorial Surgery (incision at nape of neck)--> position pt flat and lateral on either side.

23. During Internal Radiation --> on bedrest while implant in place

24. Autonomic Dysreflexia/Hyperreflexia (S&S: pounding headache, profuse sweating, nasal congestion, goose flesh, bradycardia, hypertension) --> place client in sitting position (elevate HOB) first before any other implementation.

25. Shock --> bedrest with extremities elevated 20 degrees, knees straight, head slightly elevated (modified Trendelenburg)

26. Head Injury --> elevate HOB 30 degrees to decrease intracranial pressure

27. Position Patients on the Right Side if or after:
liver biopsy
appendectomy (with legs flexed)

28. Position Patients on the Left Side if or after:
Pregnant with risk of cord compression

29. Position Left side:
with HOB elevated with GERD

30. Position on the Affected Side:
-pneumonia (to splint and reduce the pain)