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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3) 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ------------
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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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