PATIENT POSITIONING IN SURGERY: LITHOTOMY POSITION

Course overview

Patient positioning in surgery is an essential component of perioperative nursing and involves positioning a patient for optimal surgical access while maintaining patient safety. The sedation used in surgery causes patients to lose control of some physiological protection mechanisms (e.g., reflexes, sensitivity to pain and pressure), which leaves them more vulnerable to injuries to skin, muscles, joints, and nerves. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of the importance of properly positioning a patient in surgery; the complications which may arise; and the indications, background knowledge, and steps required for positioning a patient in the lithotomy position for surgery. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.