Lateral,lateral chest,and lateral kidney positions all place pressure on structures of the dependent side: ears,shoulder,ribs,hips,greater femoral head,knees,and ankles.The potential for injury to the patient is significant,based on these pressure areas.Which resultant injury or harm could be related to these lateral positions?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A respiratory effect of lateral chest position is that the dependent lung is more perfused because of gravitational pooling of blood.The nondependent lung is more easily ventilated,however,because it is less compressed.This results in a ventilation-perfusion mismatch.Increased intra-abdominal pressure evoked by the kidney bridge and by flexion of the lower limbs toward the abdomen limits diaphragmatic movement.The acute angulations of the body in the lateral kidney posture and the effect of gravity also may decrease blood return to the right side of the heart.

Lateral,lateral Chest,and Lateral Kidney Positions All Place Pressure on Structures