Nursing & Healthcare Programs

Supine Position

Written by Hollie Finders, RN
Hollie Finders is a registered nurse with years of experience working in the health care field. She has degrees in both biochemistry and nursing. After working with patients of all ages, Hollie now specializes in pediatric intensive care nursing. Hollie’s LinkedIn

Procedure

Equipment needed: pillow.

  1. Perform hand hygiene.
  2. Explain the procedure to the patient and ask for his or her assistance in following directions.
  3. Lock the bed wheels and raise the bed to a comfortable working height.
  4. Lower the side rail on the working side. Ensure the opposite side rail is raised.
  5. Lower the head of the bed until the bed is completely flat.
  6. If the patient is in the prone position, turn the patient onto his or her side.
  7. Once the patient is side lying, decide if there is enough room to complete the roll onto the patient’s back.
  8. If there is not enough room, move the patient to the center of the bed while he or she remains in a side lying position.
  9. When there is adequate room, complete the roll by assisting the patient onto his or her back.
  10. Place a pillow under the head. If desired, place pillows underneath the arms and/or knees for support. A small towel roll can also be placed under the back to support the curvature of the spine.
  11. Ensure the patient is comfortable, return the side rails to their original position, lower the bed, and make sure the call light is within the patient’s reach.
  12. Perform hand hygiene.
  13. Document the procedure in the patient’s chart and report any changes in the patient’s condition to the nurse.

Important Information about the Supine Position

Supine position is a natural and comfortable position for most people. For this reason, it is a highly utilized position for nursing procedures. Unfortunately, this position puts pressure on many bony prominences that can lead to discomfort and/or pressure ulcers if the pressure is not relieved every so often (typically every two hours or less). The most commonly affected areas are the back of the head, shoulder blades, coccyx, calves, and heels [1]. The nurse’s assistant should always check these areas when turning patients and report any redness, irritation, or other issues to the nurse.

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3495374/

More Resources

Making an Occupied Bed

If a patient is bedridden or on bedrest, the bed linens will need to be changed while the patient is in the bed. For safety reasons, the nurse’s aid should avoid making an occupied bed if the patient is able to get out of bed. Bed linens should be changed according to the facility’s policy or anytime they are wet or soiled.

Performing the Heimlich Maneuver

The Heimlich Maneuver, also known as abdominal thrusts, is used to remove an object that is blocking a resident’s airway and preventing air from reaching the lungs. It only takes four to six minutes for brain damage to occur from lack of oxygen, so prompt action is vital.

Applying Elastic Support Hose

Elastic stockings are worn to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and reduce the pooling of blood in vessels. Many hospitals and care facilities use elastic stockings in patients with reduced mobility, such as surgical patients and/or the elderly. There are a few risks in wearing elastic stockings; however, these risks can be prevented with proper application and care.

Tympanic Membrane Temperature with Electronic Thermometer

A tympanic membrane thermometer uses an infrared sensor to measure the temperature of the tympanic membrane (ear drum). This type of thermometer is considered an accurate and reliable predictor of a patient’s core temperature because the tympanic membrane’s blood supply is sourced from the carotid artery, which is the same artery that carries blood to the hypothalamus in the brain.

Logrolling the Resident

Logrolling is a technique used to roll a resident onto their side without the resident helping, and while keeping the resident’s spine in a straight line. This is especially important for residents who have had spinal surgery or injury.

Collecting a Stool Specimen

Stool specimens are collected to test for a variety of disorders from colon cancer to parasites. While it is not the most pleasant job, it is important that the collection is done correctly for accurate results.