Client Positioning Techniques for Safety, Healing, and NCLEX-PN Success | Chapter 17 from Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Examination (7th Edition)

Client Positioning Techniques for Safety, Healing, and NCLEX-PN Success | Chapter 17 from Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Examination (7th Edition)

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Welcome to Chapter 17 of the Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Examination (7th Edition) by Linda Anne Silvestri and Angela E. Silvestri. This chapter is essential for mastering client positioning techniques, which play a vital role in promoting safety, comfort, and optimal healing for a diverse range of medical and surgical situations. Whether you’re preparing for the NCLEX-PN or real-world nursing practice, understanding proper positioning is crucial to preventing complications and improving outcomes.

Watch the full video summary below, and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for detailed NCLEX-PN chapter breakdowns and clinical skills tips:

Principles of Safe Positioning and Body Mechanics

  • Body Mechanics: Use correct posture and movement techniques to protect both the client and health care worker. Employ positioning aids such as wedge pillows, sandbags, trochanter rolls, and trapeze bars.
  • Ergonomics: Promote injury prevention for nurses and clients by following proper lifting and transferring guidelines.

Positioning by Condition and Procedure

  • Surgical & Integumentary:
    • Post-mastectomy: Semi-Fowler’s, elevate affected arm for lymphatic drainage.
    • Burns/grafts: Position to prevent contractures and maintain circulation.
  • Respiratory:
    • NG tube insertion/feeding: High Fowler’s to prevent aspiration.
    • COPD: Orthopneic (tripod) position for maximum lung expansion.
    • Thoracentesis: Sitting upright, leaning forward over a table.
  • GI & Liver:
    • Enema: Left Sims’ position to facilitate flow.
    • Liver biopsy: Right-side lying with pillow under puncture site post-procedure.
    • Paracentesis: Semi-Fowler’s or upright.
  • Cardiovascular:
    • Post-cardiac catheterization: Flat or slight elevation, leg straight.
    • Aneurysm repair: Supine, avoid hip flexion.
    • CHF: High Fowler’s for breathing ease.
  • Neurological:
    • Stroke: Head midline, HOB (head of bed) elevated as ordered; avoid pressure on affected side.
    • Increased ICP/craniotomy: HOB 30–45°, neck neutral, avoid flexion.
    • Spinal cord injury/laminectomy: Logroll, keep spine straight/aligned.
    • Post-cataract surgery: Do not lie on operative side, avoid increased IOP.
  • Amputation:
    • First 24 hours: Elevate limb to reduce edema, then prone to prevent hip contractures.
  • Vascular:
    • DVT: Elevate affected leg.
    • PAD: Keep extremity dependent (down) to improve perfusion.

Special Positioning Considerations

  • Trendelenburg, Fowler’s, supine, prone, and lateral positions: Indications and safety tips.
  • Mobility and rehabilitation: Use positioning to prevent pressure injuries, maintain function, and encourage independence.
  • Customize positioning for age, cultural needs, pain, and comorbidities.

NCLEX-PN Scenarios: Positioning for Procedures and Complications

Chapter 17 provides practice with common NCLEX-PN scenarios: positioning for lumbar puncture, post-angiogram, thoracentesis, appendectomy, and more. Remember: Positioning is a critical intervention to support healing, prevent aspiration, reduce pain, and avoid complications.

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Conclusion: Elevate Patient Safety with Therapeutic Positioning

Chapter 17 of Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Examination (7th Edition) equips you with essential client positioning strategies for safety, comfort, and recovery. Apply these principles for better outcomes—on the NCLEX and in every care setting.

If you found this breakdown helpful, subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more NCLEX-PN chapter guides and clinical skills tips.

If you found this breakdown helpful, be sure to subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more chapter-by-chapter textbook summaries and academic study guides.

Explore the full YouTube playlist for Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Examination (7th Edition) here: Complete Playlist

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