PATIENT POSITIONING

Supine
Someone in the supine position is lying on his or her
back.
Prone
Someone in the prone position is lying face down.

Right Lateral Recumbent

The Right lateral recumbent, or RLR, means that
the patient is lying on their right side.
Left Lateral Recumbent
The left lateral recumbent, or LLR, means that the
patient is lying on their left side.

Fowler's Position
A person in the Fowler's position is sitting
straight up or leaning slightly back. Their legs may
either be straight or bent. A high fowlers position
is somewhat who is sitting upright. A low fowlers
position is someone whose head is only slightly
elevated.
Trendelenberg Position
A person in the Trendelenberg position is lying
supine with their head slightly lower than their
feet.

Abduction
Abduction is movement away from the midline, or to
abduct.
Adduction
Adduction is movement toward the midline, or to add.

Flexion
Flexion is to bend at a joint, or to reduce the angle.
Extension
Extension is to straighten at a joint, or to increase
the angle, for example, from 90 degrees to 180
degrees.

Medial Rotation
Medial rotation is to turn inward.
Lateral Rotation
Lateral rotation is to turn
outward.

Supination
Supination is to rotate the forearm so that the
palm faces forward.
Pronation
Pronation is to rotate the forearm so that the
palm faces backward.