6. BODY MECHANICS AND POSTURE
Definitions Ø Body mechanics means the co-oriented use of the body parts to produce motion and maintain equilibrium in relation to both internal and external forces. Ø Posture is the relationship of the various parts of the body in activity or at rest. Ø Positioning a patient in correct body alignment means to give proper support to the body in order to maintain muscle tone and eliminate strain. Purpose of good body mechanics and posture 1) To provide maximum comfort and relaxation 2) To aid in normal body functions 3) To prevent contractures and neuromuscular deformities and complications 4) To conserve maximum possible energy by preventing unnecessary strain 1) Standing position In correct standing position the head is held erect, back is kept straight as much as possible, chest is put forward, shoulders are kept back, elbows are slightly flexed, wrists are extended, fingers are slightly flexed, abdomen is drawn inward and kept flat, knees are slightly flexed, and feet are pointing ahead and parallel to each other about 3 inches apart.
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Fig.6.1 Standing Position Knowledge of correct standing position is necessary because all other positions are modifications of standing position. When a nurse helps the patient to sit or lie down in bed, she follows the principles of correct standing position and keeps the patient's body in good alignment. 2) Sitting Position In sitting position, the weight of the body is balanced by ischial tuberosities, the buttocks and the thighs. Elbows are flexed and supported, hips are flexed at right angles to the trunk, knees are flexed at right angles to the thighs, and angles are flexed to right angles to the legs and are flat on floor. Back is held erect and the back and buttocks are supported by the back of the chair.
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Positions used for patients : • Dorsal position: Patient is flat on the bed with legs extended and arms at the sides of the body. This is not a comfortable position, as the curves of the body are not supported.
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Fig.6.2 Dorsal position Dorsal recumbent position: This is called back lying position. This is a modification of standing position. The only difference being, the patient is in horizontal position instead of vertical. Patient lies flat on his back with a pillow under his head. A small pad is placed in the hollow of the back, and the knees are slightly flexed. A soft pillow is arranged under the knees. A footboard is provided to prevent foot drop. Arms are kept at the sides of the body. Most of the patients are nursed in this position. Lateral position: Patient lies on his side with spine straight. The knees are flexed; the upper knee is more flexed than the lower one. Pillows may be provided for the head, in between the legs, and to support back and abdomen. The lower arm is kept above the head and the upper arm is placed on a pillow in front. The arms and legs do not bear the weight of the body. This position is used for general comfort, rest and relaxation. During back care, patient is placed in lateral position.
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Left lateral position is used for vaginal, perineal and rectal examinations, and the post operative patients are kept in lateral position in order to maintain a clear airway.
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Fig.6.3 Lateral position Jack knife position: Patient lies on his back with his shoulders slightly elevated. The hips and knees are flexed and brought up to the abdomen and chest. This position is useful to perform a lumbar puncture. Knee chest position: The patient knees on the bed and then lowers his head, shoulders and chest and rests them on the bed. Head is turned to one side, and kept on a pillow. The thighs are kept vertical. Arms are crossed above the head. This position is useful for performing vaginal and rectal examinations and for correcting displaced uterus or other organs. Lithotomy position: The patient is kept on his back. Head and shoulders rest on a small soft pillow. Knees are flexed well and buttocks are brought over to the edge of the bed. If it is used for a long period, the legs are supported by stirrups, attached to the table. The position is used for examination or operations on rectum and genital organs.
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Prone position: Patient lies flat on his abdomen with head kept on a pillow and turned to one side. Pillows are kept under the waist and under the lower legs. The arms are flexed at the elbow and kept above the head. This position is used when there is bedsore or burns or an injury at the back and as a change of position for patients with fractured spine.
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Fig.6.4 Prone position Sims position or semi prone position : This is a modified left lateral position. The patient lies on the left side. Head, shoulders and chest are turned forward so that her chest rests on the pillow. The right knee is well flexed and rests on the bed in front. The left knee is slightly flexed and is positioned behind the right knee. This position is useful for performing vaginal examinations and for rest and relaxation.
Fig 6.5 semi prone position
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Fowler's positions: Patient is in a partially sitting position. The back of the bed is elevated to 45 degrees with the aid of a backrest and pillows or by adjustment of the cot. Patient's back, shoulder and head are supported well. The knees are flexed and supported with a pillow or by cot adjustment. A footrest is provided to prevent foot drop. Patients are not kept in this position for long time, since there is always the danger of thrombus formation. This position is used for patients with dyspnoea (difficulty in breathing), distended abdomen, abdominal surgery, cardio-thoracic disorders and ascites. The position is also useful while passing Ryle's tube and while performing tapping of ascites fluid.
Fig.6.6 Fowler's positions:
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Trendelenburg position : The patient lies on his back with the foot of the bed elevated on wooden blocks. Patient's head and trunk are lower than the legs.
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Fig.6.7 Trendelenburg position Reverse Trendelenburg position: The head and shoulders are at a higher level than the hips, legs and feet. This position is used for reducing intracranial pressure and for other treatment measures.
Fig.6.8 Reverse Trendelenburg position v Moving and lifting patient As nurses, you may be required to move and lift patients. An important point you have to bear in mind while moving patients is that you must observe correct body mechanics for your patients as well as for yourself.
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While lifting heavy objects, it is wise to stand with your feet while apart and firmly on the floor. The weight should be lifted close to the body. Flex your knees so that your strong muscles of the legs bear the weight of the object.
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Fig.6.9 Maintaing body mechaninc v Purposes 1) To perform the task efficiently 2) To avoid the patient from unnecessary effort 3) The prevent nurses from strain and back injuries 4) To promote circulation and muscular tone v Procedures a. Moving upward or downward : Two nurses are required to do this. One nurse places her one hand under the patient's shoulder and the other hand under the lumbar region. The other nurse stands on the other side of the bed and does the same as the first nurse. The patient, if he is able, is asked to flex the knee and push against the matters with heels. Both nurses together bring the patient up.
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Fig.6.10. Moving upward or downward b. Moving from one side of bed to another : Move pillows towards the side of the bed. Place your one arm under the shoulders and the other under the lumbar region.
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Move upper part of the body to the side of the bed. Then keep one arm under the lumbar region and the other under the thighs and move the middle part of the body of the side of the bed. Lastly place one arm under the things and the other under the ankles and move the lower part of the body to the side of the bed. See whether the whole body is straight and in good alignment.
Fig. 6.11 Moving from one side of bed to another c. Turning on side : Before turning move the patient a little away from the center. If he is to be turned on the left side, you stand at his left. Keep his right arm crossed on the chest and right leg crossed over the left leg. Flex the right knee slightly keep one hand on the patient's right shoulder and the other on his right hip and gently roll him to left lateral position.
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Fig.6.12 Turning on side d. Moving patients from stretcher to bed : Keep the head of the stretcher at right angles to the foot of the bed. Three nurses are needed. All stand on the same side of the stretcher one nurse places her arms under the patient's head and shoulders, another keeps her arms under the hips, the third has her arms under the things and legs. All together life the patient, turn and place him on the bed. The lifters observe body mechanics for themselves. They keep their backs straight, flex their knees and place their one foot forward while transferring the patient.
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SUMMARY Ø Body mechanics means the coordinated use of the body parts to produce motion and maintain equilibrium in relation to both internal and external forces Ø Posture in the relationship of the various parts of the body in activity or at rest. Ø Positioning a patient means to give proper support. Ø Purposes of good body mechanics and posture are to provide maximum comfort and relaxation, to aid in normal body functions, to prevent contractures and to conserve maximum possible energy by preventing unnecessary strain. Ø The common positions used for patients are standing position, sitting position, semiprone position, Fowler’ s position, Trendelenburg position and Reverse Trendelen burg positions. Ø While moving or lifting patients, nurses must observe correct body mechanics for the patients as well as herself. Questions Part – A 1) ----------------- is the relationship of the various parts of the body in activity or at rest. 2) --------------- means to give proper support to the body in order to maintain muscle tone and eliminate strain. 3) ----------------- means the coordinated use of the body parts to produce motion and maintain equilibrium. 4) In sitting position the weight of the body is borne by ------------------,-------------------- and the -------------------------. 5) Lithotomy --------------- position is used for ------------------------------- and ----------------- examination. 6) A footboard is provided to prevent ----------------7) Jack knife position is useful to perform a -----------196
8) --------------- is useful for correcting displaced uterus or other organs. 9) ---------------- is used for examinations or operations on return and genital organs. 10) The patient is kept in ----------- position while performing tapping of ascites fluid. 11) While moving patients, nurses must observe -------------,----------,-------------- for the patients as well as for herself. Part B 1) Define body mechanics 2) Define posture? 3) What are the uses of knee chest position. Part C 1) Explain dorsal recumbent position. 2) How will you move a patient in upward and downward directions? 3) How will help a patient moving from one side of bed to another? 4) How will you help a patient moving from a stretcher to bed? 5) What are the purposes of good body mechanics and posture? 6) Explain a correct standing position. 7) Explain prone position Part D 1) Explain common positions used for patients in nursing practice. 2) Write in detail about moving and lifting of patients o Moving upward or downward o Moving from one side of bed to another o Turning on side o Moving patients from stretcher to bed.
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