NURSING CARE GUIDELINES 85-1

ASSISTING WITH POSTURAL DRAINAGE

• ALWAYS WASH HANDS.

• ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES AND HANDLE ALL SOILED TISSUES AS
CONTAMINATED MATERIAL.
• EXPLAIN TO THE CLIENT WHY THE HEAD-DOWNWARD POSITION IS
NECESSARY FOR MUCH OF THE TREATMENT.
• IMPROVE DRAINAGE BY STRIKING THE CLIENT BETWEEN THE
SHOULDER BLADES WITH CUPPED HANDS (PUMMELING) OR BY
VIBRATING THE CLIENT. BE SURE TO RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS IN
THESE TECHNIQUES.
• HAVE TISSUES AVAILABE.
• HAVE PILLOWS AND PADS AVAILABLE.
• PERFORM THIS PROCEDURE BEFORE THE PERSON EATS.
• GIVE THE CLIENT ORAL HYGIENE FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURE.
• DISPOSE OF ALL MATERIALS PROPERLY AND WASH HANDS.
• DOCUMENT THE PROCEDURE AND THE CLIENT’S REACTIONS.