Recovery position!!!

[toothy2112]

Hello,

I am currently researching this topic, but thought I could ask here and begin narrowing my search down. In my anatomy class, we were asked to find out why it is that one places a person who had a seizure or a pregnant unconscious woman onto their left side? My preliminary search has answered very little. I have come up with answers like due to the IVC being on the other side of the body, something related to the vagus nerve. BUT, no answer as of yet? Would anyone please, push me into the right direction as to why people are put onto their left and not their right side after a seizure??!!!

Your help is much appreciated!

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[Flopotomist]

Hello,

I am currently researching this topic, but thought I could ask here and begin narrowing my search down. In my anatomy class, we were asked to find out why it is that one places a person who had a seizure or a pregnant unconscious woman onto their left side? My preliminary search has answered very little. I have come up with answers like due to the IVC being on the other side of the body, something related to the vagus nerve. BUT, no answer as of yet? Would anyone please, push me into the right direction as to why people are put onto their left and not their right side after a seizure??!!!

Your help is much appreciated!

So a quick check of wikipedia has your answer (type "recovery position" into the search terms).

 

[LaDandouna]

Both a seizing patient or an unconscious patient are not able to properly manage their airway, putting them in the recovery position ensures that their airway is protected. First, the tongue does not fall back and obstruct the airway. But most importantly,this position helps prevent vomit (and blood) from being aspirated into the lungs, which would lead to bigger problems.

Now, according to what I know, I don't think it really matters if the patient is left or right recumbent when seizing or unconscious, unless the patient is pregnant (but someone correct me if I am wrong).

Hope this helps 🙂

 

[jvencius]

Different reasons:

For the pregnant pt., they go on their left side to prevent compression of the IVC by the gravid uterus.

For the seizure pt. (drunk pt's as well), it doesn't matter since they're on their side to prevent aspiration of vomit if/when they puke.

 

[toothy2112]

Thanks. I did look up Wiki, but after talking with my professor, he stated to keep looking since the answer will surprise me. Also, he said almost everyone he knows do not know "why" you do this, they just know to do it. But I will talk to him today and find out. Thanks again!🙂👍

 

[Rugby MD]

we just had our cpr cert and I think one of the teachers mentioned that people on their left side are less likely to vomit- didn't say why, just that left was better for that reason.

 

[pmdc222]

I think it has to do with aspiration. Because the right bronchus is straighter than the left, it is more prone to aspiration risk. Therefore, if you put a patient on their left side instead of the right, you lower the risk of vomit into the lung.

This may be a complete bull, but it is what I was told in the past.

 

[pmdc222]

And yes, for a pregnant woman it is different - it's to prevent compression of the vena cava by the baby

 

[Blade28]

I think it has to do with aspiration. Because the right bronchus is straighter than the left, it is more prone to aspiration risk. Therefore, if you put a patient on their left side instead of the right, you lower the risk of vomit into the lung.

This may be a complete bull, but it is what I was told in the past.

That's what I've been told as well (in addition to the whole fetus-IVC-compression thing).

 

[aero]

I was told in CPR training that the left side was optimum because the aortic arch is oriented in this direction thus "improving" blood flow for a possibly injured person.

 

[Rogue Synapse]

Wouldn't putting someone on their left side also assist in left ventricular preload, strengthening the heart's contractions, because gravity would help a little more blood pool in the LV before each contraction?

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

It's because the seizure was caused by demonic possession, and playing them on the left or "sinister" side is part of the Catholic exorcism rituatal.

...duh.

 

[laurenem]

we just had our cpr cert and I think one of the teachers mentioned that people on their left side are less likely to vomit- didn't say why, just that left was better for that reason.

I also heard this reason. If you look at the anatomy of the stomach and esophogus, you have to go against gravity to vomit while on your left side, but on your right side gravity can "pull" the contents of your stomach into your esophogus. Also I've heard that b/c you have 2 lobes in your left lung, rather than 3 in the right, you'll get better oxigenation laying on your left side. also, ditto about the pregnant women, you don't want their bp dropping!

 

[Flopotomist]

completely non-anatomic explanation... Ambulances all have the gurney on the left, so by placing the patient on the left side, the medic is facing the patient.

 

[pmdc222]

completely non-anatomic explanation... Ambulances all have the gurney on the left, so by placing the patient on the left side, the medic is facing the patient.

ugh, trust me...in such tight quarters...I'd prefer to turn the patient away from me when they are vomiting. Nothing like being in a tiny box with someone vomiting straight at you!!! 😱

 

[toothy2112]

Well, apparently the right answer is that there is no "real" answer. There may be good ideas as to why people think this is, but in reality it does not really make a difference. In fact, the person does not actually need to be on their side at all as long as their face is to one side opening the airway and gravity expelling anything from their mouths. This is all according to my professor! So, I guess he was challenging us?