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 this position is that the dependent lung is more perfused because gravitational pooling of blood occurs.The nondependent lung is more easily ventilated,however,because it is less compressed.The lower shoulder is brought slightly forward and an axillary roll is placed under the rib cage,posterior to the axilla.This places the weight of the chest on the rib cage instead of compressing the lower shoulder and axilla,which otherwise may injure the brachial plexus of the dependent arm.

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