Final answer:
Supine hypotension in pregnant patients is prevented by tilting the patient 15 to 30 degrees to the left from the supine position or using a wedge to achieve a lateral tilt, enhancing venous return and cardiac output.
Step-by-step explanation:
You asked about the degree a pregnant patient should be tilted to prevent supine hypotension. Hypotension can occur when the pregnant uterus compresses the inferior vena cava, reducing blood return to the heart when a pregnant patient lies on her back – this is known as supine hypotension syndrome.
To prevent this, pregnant patients are advised to avoid lying flat on their backs after the first trimester and should be positioned with a left lateral tilt of around 15 to 30 degrees from the supine position. Alternatively, a wedge can be placed under one side of the back to achieve a similar effect.
This repositioning helps maintain adequate venous return and cardiac output, preventing dizziness and other symptoms associated with orthostatic hypotension when standing.