In which position is a patient when they are lying on their side?

The patient is in the side-lying (lateral) position when they are lying on their side. This position is beneficial for various reasons, including facilitating comfort, reducing the risk of pressure ulcers in patients who are bedridden, and promoting lung expansion in those with respiratory issues. The side-lying position allows for better drainage of secretions from the lungs and can also be used to help prevent aspiration during care.

Conversely, the semi-fowler position involves the patient being seated with their upper body elevated but not entirely sideways, which does not apply in this context. The prone position refers to a patient lying face down, which is distinctly different from lying on the side. The sitting position has the patient upright and does not resemble a side-lying posture. Therefore, the side-lying position accurately describes a patient positioned on their side.