The effect of positions on oxygen saturation in obese individuals

The study was conducted as a descriptive study to investigate the effect of positional change on oxygen saturation in obese patients. The population of the study was consisted of obese patients who hospitalized in Ege University Medical Faculty Hospital between 2017/08/04 – 2017/01/08. The sample of the study consisted of obese patients (n = 36) who were hospitalized at Ege University Medical Faculty Hospital between 2017/08/04 – 2017/01/08. Written consent was obtained from Clinical Research Ethical Commitee and Ege University Medical Faculty Hospital for implementing the study. Repeated measure variance analysis and Paired Sample t test was used in analysis of the data. "Patients Information Form" and "Physiological Parameters Monitoring Form" were used in the collection of data. Informed consent was obtained from patients and the patients were given 4 different positions (upright, supine, right lateral, left lateral). The order of the positions is randomized by drawing lots. During the study, the patient was kept in each position for 10 minutes and rested for 5 minutes between positions. Oxygen saturation, pulse rate and systolic blood pressure of the patients was measured at 0. minute and 10. minute at each position. It is found that the best oxygenation is in the upright position while the lowest oxygenation is found in the supine position. When obese patients stayed in the same position for 10 minutes (supine, left lateral, right lateral, and upright sitting), systolic blood pressure increased in the right lateral position while systolic blood pressure decreased in the supine, left lateral and vertical sitting positions. It was determined that the pulse rate was not change when the patients was positioned in the same positions (supine, left lateral, right lateral ve sitting upright) during 10 minutes. To ensure optimal oxygenation in obese patients, nurses should keep patients in a position to sit upright or tilt in the right lateral position. The study should be repeated in obese individuals who are not hospitalized and have no disease. Keywords: Body Positions; Obesity; Oxygenation; Pulse Oximeter