According to AORN Guidelines, what should the preoperative nurse do regarding patient positioning?

In the context of AORN guidelines, utilizing additional precautions based on unique patient considerations is essential for ensuring patient safety and optimizing surgical outcomes. Each patient presents different anatomical and physiological characteristics, which can affect their positioning during a surgical procedure. Factors such as age, body mass index, and specific medical conditions must be taken into account to tailor the positioning appropriately.

Personalized patient positioning helps prevent complications such as pressure ulcers, nerve injuries, or respiratory issues. By adapting techniques to fit the individual needs of each patient, the preoperative nurse plays a crucial role in minimizing risks associated with improper positioning.

While documenting positioning techniques is also important for continuity of care, the dynamic process of assessing and adjusting positioning based on individualized factors is paramount and is a proactive measure to protect the patient’s well-being during surgery.