Description

Postural drainage of a lung segment can be achieved by positioning the patient so that gravity can aid clearance of secretions.


 

Lung Segment

Position

right upper lobe, apical anterior

1

right upper lobe, apical posterior

2

right upper lobe, posterior

4

right upper lobe, anterior

3

right middle lobe, lateral

6

right middle lobe, medial

6

right lower lobe, superior

12

right lower lobe, medial basal

? 10 or 11

right lower lobe, anterior basal

8

right lower lobe, lateral basal

9

right lower lobe, posterior basal

11

left upper lobe, apical posterior, apical anterior

1

left upper lobe, apical posterior, apical posterior

2

left upper lobe, apical posterior, posterior

5

left upper lobe, anterior

3

left upper lobe, lingula

7

left lower lobe, superior

12

left lower lobe, anterior basal

9

left lower lobe, lateral basal

10

left lower lobe, posterior basal

11

 

 

Position

Face

Trunk

Leg

Foot of Bed

Pillow

1

face up

on back, 45° to horizontal

together

horizontal

under knee

2

face up

bent forward at waist

together

horizontal

under knee

3

face up

flat on back

together

horizontal

under knee

4

left ear down

on left side at 45° to horizontal

right leg flexed up

horizontal

by chest

5

right ear down

on right side at 45° to horizontal

left leg flexed up

horizontal

by chest

6

face up

flat on back

together

up 12 inches

under right side of back

7

face up

flat on back

together

up 12 inches

under left side of back

8

face up

flat on back

together

up 18 inches

under knee

9

left ear down

on left side

together

up 18 inches

by right chest

10

right ear down

on right side

together

up 18 inches

by left chest

11

face down

on stomach

together

up 18 inches

under stomach and ankles

12

face down

on stomach

together

horizontal

under stomach and ankles

 


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