Bed Positions

Hospital beds can be adjusted into various positions based on the client’s needs, diagnosis, or condition.  It is important to know these common bed positions, so that you can effectively communicate with the healthcare team.

Fowler’s Position 

The standard client position is the Fowler’s position, where the client is in a semi-upright seated position, at about a 45 to 60 degree angle, with the knees either bent or straight. This position is considered standard because it allows the patient’s abdominal muscles to relax, making it easier to breathe and eat. It is frequently used for patients with oral or nasal gastric feeding tubes, because it minimizes the risk of aspiration. In addition, peristalsis and swallowing are aided by the effect of gravitational pull. This is a common position to provide patient comfort and care.

High Fowler’s position is used to describe a client’s position, where the upper body is positioned approximately 60 and 90 degrees in relation to the lower body. This position may be used while you assist a client to eat when they are at risk for choking and aspiration.

Semi-fowlers

The client sits at a 30–45º angle. Semi-fowlers position is slightly lower than the Fowlers position. It can also be used for clients with a feeding tube.

Trendelenberg

In the Trendelenburg position, the client lies flat on their back in the supine position, with their feet elevated higher than their head by about 15–30° degrees. This position is used in situations such as hypotension and medical emergencies as it helps promote venous return to major organs, such as the head and heart.

Reverse Trendelenberg

With the reverse Trendelenburg position, the head is slightly higher than the feet at 15–30° degrees. This position may be used to promote gastric emptying.