What is a lateral decubitus position?
Table of Contents
What is a lateral decubitus position?
Medical Definition of lateral decubitus : a position in which a patient lies on his or her side and which is used especially in radiography and in making a lumbar puncture.
What is the lateral position used for in healthcare?
The lateral position is used for surgical access to the thorax, kidney, retroperitoneal space, and hip. Depending on the side of the body on which the patient is being operated, the patient will lie on their left or right side. Before being placed in the lateral position, the patient is induced in the supine position.
Why do you turn patient on left side?
This is done to prevent vomit and/or stomach contents from getting into the lungs. When this does happen it’s known as aspiration. In medical terms, the recovery position is called the lateral recumbent position. Sometimes it is also referred to as the lateral decubitus position.
What is the most common nerve injury for a patient in a lateral decubitus position?
Each position can expose various nerves to potential for injury, and it is important to be aware of them while positioning the patient. The most common injuries associated with the lateral position—used in both shoulder arthroscopy and hip arthroplasty—are neurapraxias of the brachial plexus.
What is the best position to place an unconscious patient?
the recovery position
If a person is unconscious but is breathing and has no other life-threatening conditions, they should be placed in the recovery position. Putting someone in the recovery position will keep their airway clear and open.
What is the advantage of the left lateral decubitus position?
Advantages of the lateral decubitus position include better visualization and instrument access for certain procedures and decreased risk for cerebral hypoperfusion. Complications associated with this position include traction injuries, resul…
Why is a lateral decubitus image of the abdomen ordered?
The lateral decubitus abdominal radiograph is used to identify free intraperitoneal gas (pneumoperitoneum). It can be performed when the patient is unable to be transferred to, or other imaging modalities (e.g. CT) are not available.
What nerves can be damaged in lateral position?
Damage to brachial plexus is one of the most frequent positioning injuries when patients are in lateral decubitus position. Suprascapular neuropathy is easily overlooked injury. It occurs by circumduction of the arm across the chest or lateralization of the neck toward opposite shoulder.
What is recumbent position used for?
dorsal recumbent position A position in which the patient lies on the back with the lower extremities moderately flexed and rotated outward. It is employed in the application of obstetrical forceps, repair of lesions following parturition, vaginal examination, and bimanual palpation.
How do you treat decubitus?
Treatment of Decubitus Ulcers
- Cleaning the ulcer and putting a dressing on the wound.
- Meticulous wound care with frequent dressing changes.
- Reducing pressure on the area by repositioning and using supporting surfaces.
- Antibacterial drugs to treat infection.
- Pain medications to relieve discomfort.
