Procedure in Turning Client to Prone Position
EXPECTED BEHAVIOR
1. Move the patient to the side of the
bed away from the side where the
patient finally be positioned. Roll
onto pillows.
2. Place pillows on the side of the bed
for the patient’s head, unless
contraindicated, with the face
turned to the side and the neck
slightly flexed.
3. Place a small pillow or roll under
the abdomen just below the
diaphragm.
4. Place a small pillow under the
lower legs.
RATIONALE
This prevents acute flexion or
hyperextension of the neck.
This prevents hyperextension of the lumbar
curvature, difficulty breathing and pressure
on the breasts if the patient is a woman.
This raises the toes off the bed surface and
flexes the knees slightly. It also reduces
plantar flexion. Another technique is to
position the patient on the bed so that the
feet extend in a normal anatomical position
at the foot of the mattress.