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Topic 1-8
Positioning and Ambulating the Adult Patient

One of the basic procedures that nursing personnel perform most frequently is that of changing the patient's position. Any position, even the most comfortable one, will become unbearable after a period of time. Whereas the healthy person has the ability to move at will, the sick person's movements may be limited by disease, injury, or helplessness. It is often the responsibility of the practical nurse to position the patient and change his position frequently. Once the patient is able to ambulate, certain precautions must be taken to ensure the patient's safety.

After completing this lesson, you should be able to:

• List reasons for changing the position of a patient.
• Describe basic principles for positioning and turning patients.
• Describe techniques for maintaining proper body alignment of the patient lying on his/her back.
• Describe positions used when positioning a patient.
• List steps used to adjust the backrest and pillows of a patient in a gatch bed.
• Describes actions which can be taken by a nurse to alleviate discomfort and promote relaxation of a patient.
• Cite rationales for getting a patient out of bed.Identify principles for assisting patients out of bed.
• Identify steps used in preparing to ambulate a patient and stages of ambulation.
• Identify actions, which should be taken if a patient begins to fall.

Select a Lesson:

	Reasons for Changing the Position of a Patient
	Turning Adult Patients
	Maintaining Proper Body Alignment in Common Positions
	Alleviating Discomfort and Promoting Relaxation
	Getting Patients Out of Bed
	Assisting the Patient to Ambulate

The physiological and psychological benefits of repositioning, being out of bed, and sitting up or ambulating should not be under-emphasized. Basic nursing care activity such as this, although not always pleasant for the patient, does make a significant difference in the recovery and return to health of the patient.

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