PATIENT POSITIONING – LATERAL & SIM’S POSITION – Nurse Info PATIENT POSITIONING – LATERAL & SIM’S POSITION

LATERAL POSITION

UPDATED 2024

Patient lies
on left side with legs flexed at thighs. The upper leg is flexed more than the
other. A pillow is kept in front of the abdomen and at the back and one under
the upper leg.

Indications

Lateral position is used for giving
back care enemas and colonic irrigation
Used for examination of perineum or
rectum inserting suppositories
For taking rectal temperature
For change of position
Later position is a relaxing position
Giving back care

Procedure

Explain the procedure to the patient
Provide privacy
For left lateral position, place the
patient on left side with buttocks to the edge of bed, both thighs flexed and
left arm underneath
For right lateral position, place the
patient on right side with buttocks to the edge of bed, both thighs flexed and
right arm underneath
Place air ring under the hips to
reduce pressure on trochanters and at the hip joints, the cotton rings or foam
pads under the ankles of lower legs to reduce the pressure on ankles
Align the patient in good position and
make sure the patient is not lying on his arm
Support the body parts in good
alignment for comfort

Left lateral
position: with one pillow under the head, patient is placed to lie on the left
side

Use of left
lateral positions:

For giving edema
For inserting suppositories
To take rectal examination
To take rectal temperature

Contraindications of this position are

After hip surgery
After orthopedic surgery

SIM’S POSITION

Sim’s
position is similar to the lateral position except that the patient’s weight is
on the anterior aspects of shoulder girdle and hip. The patient’s lower arm is
behind him and the upper arm is flexed at the shoulder and elbow.

Indications

This position is used for unconscious
patient
It is used for rectal examinations
Used for vaginal examinations
Used for relaxation in antenatal
exercises

Procedure

Explain the procedure to the patient
Collect articles need at the bed side
Provide privacy
Place the patient on the side
One pillow is placed under the head
with the left check resting on it
The left arm is drawn behind the body
and the right arm may be in any position comfortable for the patient
The right thigh is flexed against the
abdomen
The left leg is extended well
Cover the patient with top sheet
neatly