Body

Mechanics
Purpose:
1. To facilitate the safe and efficient use
of the appropriate muscle groups:

a. To maintain balance
b. reduce the energy required
c. reduce fatigue
d. decrease the risk of the injury
3 Basic Elements Involved:
1. Body Alignment

 refers to correct positioning of head,

back, and limbs

Posture: position of body

parts in relation to each other
2. Balance
 the ability to maintain a steady
position that does not tip

3. Coordinated Body Movements

 Involves the integrated functioning of the
musculoskeletal and nervous system as
well as joint mobility.
 JOINT MOBILITY
Joint – the functional unit of the
musculoskeletal system

Range of Motion – the maximum

movement that is possible for the
joint
 Types of ROM:

1. Active ROM Exercises

2. Active – Assistive Exercises

3. Passive Exercises

4. Isometric Exercises
Purposes of ROM:
 To maintain muscle tone and
strength and prevent muscle atrophy

 To cause muscles to contract, to

maintain size, shape, and strength of
muscles; to maintain joint mobility
Body Mechanics
• Rules for proper body mechanics:

1. Use stronger, larger

muscles to perform tasks
which require physical effort

2. When moving heavy

objects, try to push or pull
instead of lifting the items
Body Mechanics
3. Get help if object
feels too heavy to lift

4. Lift in a smooth
motion to prevent injury
Body Mechanics
5. Maintain a good posture

6. Avoid twisting the body

7. Bend knees, keep back

straight, spread feet about
one foot apart

8. Use leg muscles when lifting

 Factors Affecting Body Alignment
and Activity
1. Growth and Development
2. Physical Health
3. Mental Health
4. Nutrition
5. Personal Values and Attitudes
6. External factors
7. Prescribed limitations
Promoting |Safety and Mobility
Mobility
 refers to a person’s ability to move about

 Nursing Procedures Related to Client

Mobility:
1. Moving
2. Transferring
3. Ambulating
4. Frequent Reposition
5. ROM
 Positioning and Draping
Positioning
The technique of placing the patient on bed
or examination table safely, comfortably,
conveniently and effectively in preparation
for any procedure

Draping
The manner of exposing only the necessary
body parts to be examined, treated or
cleaned
Purposes:
1. To assist the patient to assume a
position that would best afford
adequate examination

2. To provide safety, comfort and

privacy during examination
Special Considerations:
1. The method of draping vary with
condition of the patient, the position of
patient, the examination to be done and
the room temperature
2. The draping should be loose enough to
allow quick change of position
3. Draping should consider the patient’s
individual make-up
4. Positioning depends upon the condition
of patient and the part to be examined
Technique:
A. ERECT (STANDING OR UPRIGHT)

Indication:

1. Examination of alignment of vertebral and

spinal column
2. Erect position facilitates examination.
 How to Position and Drape:
1. Assist the patient to move to the side of the
bed
2. Assist the patient to sit on the edge of the bed
3. Assist client to stand
4. Assist client to walk to check his gait
5. Assist the client to stand either with slippers or
in bare feet on a piece of paper
6. Untie the gown and leave the uppermost tape
7. Fold back the gown over both shoulders
toward the front when the physician is ready
for examination
Horizontal Recumbent (Dorsal Position)

Areas to be examined:
 Anterior thorax, head, neck, axilla, breasts, extremities

How to Position and drape:

1. Replace the top sheet with draping sheet
2. Cover the patient from the shoulders to the foot part
with the sheet hanging loose at the sides
3. Assist the patient to lie flat on his/her back with the
legs together, extended or slightly flexed
4. Place one pillow under the head and a smaller one may
be placed under the knees
5. Place the arms along the sides of the body or
comfortably flexed on the sides
 Dorsal Recumbent
Indication:
 Examination of the abdomen, pelvis, vagina and rectum; perform perineal
care, catheterization and other treatments
How to Position and Drape:
1. Replace the top sheet with the draping sheet
2. Assist the patient to lie flat on his back
3. Separate the legs, flex the knees so that the soles of the feet are flat
on the bed
4. Place the arms either above the head or flex with the hands on the
chest
5. Bring the patient to the edge of the bed
6. Place one pillow under the head
7. Place the draping sheet diagonally on the patient so that the opposite
corners cover the legs
8. Fold back the top corner over the chest
9. Wrap the corner on the right side around the right foot
10. Do the same with the left side
11. Fold the lower corner of the sheet back on the abdomen to expose
the part to be examined when the doctor is ready to do so.
Dorsal Lithotomy
Indication:
 Examination of the abdomen, pelvic and perineal areas; used in
delivery and D & C
How to Drape and Position:
1. Assist the patient to lie on his back
2. Insert legging or stockinet’s prn
3. Adjust the stirrups according to the size of the patient
4. Separate the legs and flex the thighs deeply towards the abdomen
5. Elevate the lower legs and support them with the stirrups
6. Draw down the buttocks to the folding edge of the table
7. Raise the arms above the head or flex them with the hands on the chest
8. Place the draping sheet diagonally on the patients
9. Fold back the top corner over the chest
10. Wrap the corner on the right side around the right foot
11. Do the same with the left side
12. Fold the lower corner of the sheet back on the abdomen to expose the
part to be examined when the doctor is ready to do so.
 Sim’s (Lateral)
Indication:
 For rectal or colon procedures (example: giving enema)
How to Drape and Position:
Assist the patient to lie on either side, preferably the left
with body inclined forward
1. Extend the left arm behind the back and flex the
elbow of the right arm forward
2. Flex the right thigh towards the abdomen with the
knee drawn up higher than the left knee that is only
slightly flexed
3. Lay out the draping sheet in horizontal recumbent
position
4. Fold back and/ or gather a side of the sheet to
expose the area to be examined
Prone
Indication:
 Used for the examination of the spine and back
How to Position and Drape:
1. Place the patient on a prone position.
2. Assist him to kneel with the knees slightly
separated
3. Bend forward so that the chest is resting on the bed
and the thighs are perpendicular to the legs
4. Turn the head to one side
5. Place the arms either above head or flex at the
elbow and rest along the side of the head
6. Drape the patient properly so that only the area to
be examined is exposed.
Knee-Chest (Genupectoral)
Indication
 For rectal and vaginal examinations; as a form of exercise for
some gynecological conditions.
How to position and Drape:
1. Place the patient in a prone position
2. Assist him to kneel with the knees slightly
separated
3. Bend forward so that the chest is resting on the bed
and the thighs are perpendicular to the legs
4. Turn the head to one side
5. Place the arms either above head or flex at the
elbow and rest along the side of the head
6. Drape the patient properly so that only the area to
be examined is exposed
Fowler’s Position
Indication:
 Used for patients recovering from general anesthesia
How to Position and Drape:
1. Places the patient in a horizontal recumbent position
2. Elevates the head of the bed appropriately
a. Low Fowlers – 15
b. Semi- fowlers - 45
c. High fowlers - 90
3. Flex the knees slightly and support them with knee rolls
4. Drapes the patient appropriately