Chapter Thirteen Part Three

In the Fowler’s position, the body is in a semi-sitting position, with the head and shoulders elevated. The head of bed is elevated 45 to 60 degrees. The spine should be straight. The knees may be flexed and elevated on a pillow. This position promotes good breathing. The Fowler’s position also adds pressure to the coccyx (kok’-siks), which is the tailbone.

Procedures that may require the Fowler’s position include:

• Grooming
• Oral care (unless the resident is unconscious)
• Eating

See Resident Care Procedure (RCP) # 21 Fowler’s Position

In the semi-fowler’s position, the body is in a semi-sitting position, with the head and shoulders slightly elevated. The head of bed is elevated 30 to 45 degrees. The spine should be straight. This position promotes breathing while adding less pressure to the coccyx than the fowler’s position.

See Resident Care Procedure (RCP) # 22 Semi-Fowler’s Position

In the high fowler’s position, the head of bed is nearly straight up, at 60 to 90 degrees. This Fowler’s position places the greatest pressure to the coccyx. Nursing assistants should not leave residents in the high fowler’s position for very long.