Fowler's position
Fowler's Position
Fowler's position (pronounced: /ˈfaʊlərz pəˈzɪʃən/) is a standard patient position used in the medical profession. It is named after George Ryerson Fowler, an American surgeon who first proposed the position for the purpose of easing breathing in patients with peritonitis and other conditions.
Etymology
The term "Fowler's position" is derived from the name of George Ryerson Fowler, who first suggested the use of this position in the late 19th century. Fowler was a prominent surgeon in New York City and was known for his innovative approaches to surgery and patient care.
Description
In Fowler's position, the patient is usually seated in a semi-sitting position (45-60 degrees) and may have knees either bent or straight. The position is used to promote oxygenation through maximum chest expansion and is often used in patients who have difficulty breathing, or for those who have a nasogastric tube in place.
Related Terms
- Semi-Fowler's Position: A position where the patient is reclined with the upper body raised to an angle less than 45 degrees. This position is often used for similar purposes as the full Fowler's position, but is less extreme.
- High Fowler's Position: This is a position in which a patient, typically in a hospital or nursing home in positioned on their back with the head and trunk raised to between 60 to 90 degrees relative to the lower body.
- Supine Position: This is a term used to describe a person lying down. If a patient is in the supine position, they are lying on their back with their face and torso facing up.
- Prone Position: This is a body position in which a person lies flat with the chest down and the back up.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Fowler's position
- Wikipedia's article - Fowler's position
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