decubitus

decubitus /de·cu·bi·tus/ (de-ku´bĭ-tus) pl. decu´bitus   [L.]

1. an act of lying down; the position assumed in lying down.

2. decubitus ulcer.decu´bital

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dorsal decubitus  lying on the back.

lateral decubitus  lying on one side, designated right lateral d. when the subject lies on the right side and left lateral d. when he lies on the left side.

ventral decubitus  lying on the stomach.

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de·cu·bi·tus (d-kyb-ts)

n.

1. The position of a patient in bed.

2. A bedsore.

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decubitus

[dikyo̅o̅′bitəs]

Etymology: L, decumbere, to lie down

a recumbent or horizontal position, as lateral decubitus, lying on one side.

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decubitus

pl. decubitus.

1. the act of lying down; the position assumed in lying down.

2. a decubitus ulcer.

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dorsal decubitus

lying on the back.

lateral decubitus

lying on one side, designated right lateral decubitus when the subject lies on the right side and left lateral decubitus when it lies on the left side.

decubitus ulcer

an ulcer due to local interference with the circulation; called also pressure sore. The ulcer usually occurs over a bony prominence such as that of the sacrum, hip, heel, shoulder or elbow. Excessive or prolonged pressure produced by the weight of the body or limb is the primary cause.

Decubitus ulcer on the elbow of a dog. Bypermission from Slatter D, Textbook of Small Animal Surgery,Saunders, 2002

ventral decubitus

lying on the stomach.

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Patient discussion about decubitus.

Q. I ask a client's Dr. to script flexaril for a lower back spasm and he made it for a drug called zanaflex? I am unfamiliar with zanaflex, what is the difference between it and flexaril 25mg? Benefits? Risks? I got him to order the air mattress and extended bed because client is 6'3" and is already bedridden on my 1st day..try to beat the skin breakdown, already stage I decubitis ulcers. I tried to talk the client into slideboard and lift away arm wheelchair...noway..he wants to walk bent with a rolling walker. He already had a lift chair delivered, so he just goes from bed to lift chair. He refuses to let me bathe him. He can't see, and he has me check his draw up on insulin to make sure it's right. He sends the P.T. man right back out the door after he signs the sheet. Difficult pt.!

A. Flexeril and Zanaflex are different drugs but are both muscle relaxants. There are hardly any differences between the two, clinically wise. If the doctor thought one is better than the other for your client I would suggest you take his advice and use the one he gave you.