Positioning A Patient With Support in a Lateral Position

Student's Name: ____________________

Grade (circle one):

P = achieved 3 or above in all categories

F = achieved 2 or below in one or more categories

The following scale is utilized:

ACTION S G SA U F

Gather the supplies
5 4 3 2 1

Explain the procedure to the patient
5 4 3 2 1

Wash and dry hands carefully
5 4 3 2 1

Draw the curtain around the bed for privacy
5 4 3 2 1

Go to and stand as close as possible at one side of the bed, in line with the patient's waistline
5 4 3 2 1

Lock the wheels of the bed
5 4 3 2 1

Raise the bed to waist level
5 4 3 2 1

Lower the head of the bed to a horizontal position
5 4 3 2 1

Lower the siderail closest to you
5 4 3 2 1

Fold the top linens down past the patient's feet
5 4 3 2 1

Position the patient in a lateral position
5 4 3 2 1

Place a pillow under the patient's head and neck, being sure his/her ear is not folded back
5 4 3 2 1

Bring the patient's lower shoulder blade forward
5 4 3 2 1

Flex the patient's upper extremity comfortably
5 4 3 2 1

Place a pillow, level with the patient's shoulder, under his/her comfortably flexed upper arm
5 4 3 2 1

Flex the patient's lower arm comfortably
5 4 3 2 1

Place hand-wrist splints on the patient's forearms, or handrolls in the patient's hands, as necessary
5 4 3 2 1

Place a pillow, level with the patient's hips, under his/her comfortably flexed upper leg and thigh
5 4 3 2 1

Flex the patient's lower leg and thigh comfortably
5 4 3 2 1

Place the patient's feet in a firm foot support device (e.g., foot boots, high-top sneakers) or press them against a footboard or sandbag placed parallel to the plantar surface of his/her feet
5 4 3 2 1

Align the patient's shoulders with his/her hips
5 4 3 2 1

Unfold the top linens over the patient
5 4 3 2 1

Lower the bed to the lowest level
5 4 3 2 1

Raise the siderail nearest you
5 4 3 2 1

Assure that the patient's call light is readily available
5 4 3 2 1

Wash and dry hands carefully
5 4 3 2 1

Comments:

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ACTION	S	G	SA	U	F
Gather the supplies	5	4	3	2	1
Explain the procedure to the patient	5	4	3	2	1
Wash and dry hands carefully	5	4	3	2	1
Draw the curtain around the bed for privacy	5	4	3	2	1
Go to and stand as close as possible at one side of the bed, in line with the patient's waistline	5	4	3	2	1
Lock the wheels of the bed	5	4	3	2	1
Raise the bed to waist level	5	4	3	2	1
Lower the head of the bed to a horizontal position	5	4	3	2	1
Lower the siderail closest to you	5	4	3	2	1
Fold the top linens down past the patient's feet	5	4	3	2	1
Position the patient in a lateral position	5	4	3	2	1
Place a pillow under the patient's head and neck, being sure his/her ear is not folded back	5	4	3	2	1
Bring the patient's lower shoulder blade forward	5	4	3	2	1
Flex the patient's upper extremity comfortably	5	4	3	2	1
Place a pillow, level with the patient's shoulder, under his/her comfortably flexed upper arm	5	4	3	2	1
Flex the patient's lower arm comfortably	5	4	3	2	1
Place hand-wrist splints on the patient's forearms, or handrolls in the patient's hands, as necessary	5	4	3	2	1
Place a pillow, level with the patient's hips, under his/her comfortably flexed upper leg and thigh	5	4	3	2	1
Flex the patient's lower leg and thigh comfortably	5	4	3	2	1
Place the patient's feet in a firm foot support device (e.g., foot boots, high-top sneakers) or press them against a footboard or sandbag placed parallel to the plantar surface of his/her feet	5	4	3	2	1
Align the patient's shoulders with his/her hips	5	4	3	2	1
Unfold the top linens over the patient	5	4	3	2	1
Lower the bed to the lowest level	5	4	3	2	1
Raise the siderail nearest you	5	4	3	2	1
Assure that the patient's call light is readily available	5	4	3	2	1
Wash and dry hands carefully	5	4	3	2	1
Comments:

Nursing Skills Laboratory Procedure