Why use Trendelenburg position?

Why use Trendelenburg position?

• A. Helps with circulation, oxygen to the head and allow gravity to pull the blood; helps with BP
• B. Helps reduce blood flow to the head
• C. Always used for respiratory relief
• D. No physiologic effects

Answer: (A)

Trendelenburg position places the body with the head lowered, so gravity pulls more blood toward the central circulation. This increases venous return to the heart, which can raise cardiac output and blood pressure, and it can transiently improve perfusion and oxygen delivery to the brain. That’s why it’s described as helping circulation, head oxygenation, and BP. It does not reduce blood flow to the head; in fact, it does the opposite. It isn’t a universal fix for respiratory relief, and it does have physiologic effects, so saying there are none isn’t accurate.

Trendelenburg position places the body with the head lowered, so gravity pulls more blood toward the central circulation. This increases venous return to the heart, which can raise cardiac output and blood pressure, and it can transiently improve perfusion and oxygen delivery to the brain. That’s why it’s described as helping circulation, head oxygenation, and BP. It does not reduce blood flow to the head; in fact, it does the opposite. It isn’t a universal fix for respiratory relief, and it does have physiologic effects, so saying there are none isn’t accurate.