Position Me Please!

What position is this patient in?

• Prone

• Semi-Fowlers

• Supine

• Side lying (Lateral)

What position is this patient in?

• Trendelenburg

• Semi-Fowler's

• Supine

• Sims

Which position should a patient be in when eating or when they are having trouble breathing?

• Reverse Trendelenburg

• High Fowler's

• Supine

• Fowler's

Answer explanation

1. Helps Breathing – Sitting straight up lets the lungs fill with more air and makes it easier to breathe.

2. Prevents Choking – Keeps food and liquids going down the right way, not into the airway.

3. Aids Swallowing & Digestion – Gravity helps food move down into the stomach.

Pro Tip:

If they can’t sit fully at 90°, get them as upright as possible with pillows for support. Stay close when they start eating or drinking.

If a patient is non-weight bearing on their LEFT side, which position would be best for them to be positioned in?

• High Fowler's with legs dangling over side of the bed

• Left lateral (full side-lying) position

• 30° tilt to the right

• Prone position on the left side

Answer explanation

This position is ideal because it gently shifts weight off the high pressure areas like the sacrum and hip while allowing the patient to be more stable and comfortable.

In the acute rehabilitation setting, which is the BEST reason to place a patient in the supine position (lying flat on their back)?

• To prevent the patient from falling asleep during therapy

• To prepare for rest, certain treatments, or post surgery recovery

• To improve lung expansion and make breathing easier

• To help food move more easily into the stomach after eating

A patient is recovering from a hip replacement and has posterior hip precautions. Which position should you AVOID?

• Supine with pillows to prevent leg crossing

• Semi-Fowler's with a pillow between the knees

• Side-lying with the surgical leg crossing midline

• Sitting in a chair with hips higher than knees

Answer explanation

In posterior hip replacements, crossing the surgical leg over the midline can cause the new hip joint to dislocate. Keeping a pillow between the knees maintains proper hip alignment and protects the surgical site during healing.

A patient has spinal precautions (No BLT: Bend, Lift, Twist). Which actions follow these precautions?

• Logrolling to reposition while keeping the spine in alignment

• Twisting at the waist to reach the bedside table

• Lifting the hips to scoot up in bed without help

• Sitting cross-legged in bed

Answer explanation

Spinal precautions protect the spine after surgery or injury. Logrolling keeps the head, neck, and back in one straight line, preventing twisting or bending that could damage healing tissues or hardware.

Which action is safe for a patient with anterior hip precautions?

• Extending the leg behind the body wile standing

• Sitting with hips at 90° and avoiding hip extension

• Crossing the legs at the ankles

• Twisting the leg inward

Answer explanation

Anterior hip precautions protect the new hip joint by avoiding movements that extend the leg backward or rotate it outward, which can cause dislocation. Sitting with hips at 90° and avoiding extension keeps the joint stable while it heals.

A patient has weakness on the left side after a stroke. Which position BEST supports their comfort and safety in bed?

• Lying on the left side without pillows

• Side-lying on the unaffected side with pillows supporting the affected arm and leg

• Supine with arms tucked under the body

• Prone with the affected arm behind the back

Answer explanation

Supporting the affected side with pillows prevents injury, reduces swelling, and helps maintain proper alignment.

A patient is recovering from a stroke with complete paralysis on the left side. They are alert, have no pain, and their skin is intact. Which position would be MOST appropriate for turning them in bed during routine care?

• Avoid the affected side at all times to protect it from injury

• Alternate between the affected side and the unaffected side, using pillows for support and alignment

• Keep them only on the unaffected side to prevent discomfort

• Place them prone with the affected arm underneath for support

Answer explanation

Many CNAs think you should never position a stroke patient on the affected side, but alternating sides (with good pillow support) helps prevent pressure injuries, promotes circulation, and allows the unaffected side to rest. Avoiding the affected side entirely can lead to stiffness and skin breakdown on the unaffected side.