If a resident's head of bed is elevated 60 degrees, what position is this?

Elevating a resident's head of bed to 60 degrees is known as Fowler's position. This position is specifically designed to facilitate breathing and improve comfort for patients who may be experiencing respiratory difficulty or other medical conditions. When the head of the bed is raised to this angle, it allows gravity to assist with lung expansion and can help with the drainage of secretions.

Fowler's position can vary in degree of elevation—high Fowler's is generally considered to be an angle of 60 to 90 degrees, while low Fowler's is around 30 to 45 degrees. In this case, a 60-degree elevation aligns closely with the characteristics of Fowler's position, making it the correct choice.

Other positions mentioned, such as the supine position, involve lying flat on the back without elevation. The prone position involves lying face down and would not involve any head elevation. The sitting position is somewhat general and does not specify the angle of elevation, which is crucial for accurately identifying the position in question. Therefore, the designation of Fowler's position is the most precise and appropriate in this scenario.