Body Positions

Question 1

Fowler position

Answer 1

semi-sitting position with slight elevation of the knees

Question 2

lateral recumbent position

Answer 2

lying on side; right and left precede the term to indicate the patient’s side

Question 3

lithotomy position

Answer 3

lying on back with legs raised and feet in stirrups, hips and knees flexed, and thighs abducted (away from body) and externally rotated

Question 3

orthopnea position

Answer 3

sitting upright in a chair or in bed supported by pillows behind the back

Question 4

prone position

Answer 4

lying on abdomen, facing downward; head may be turned to one side; aka ventral recumbent position

Question 5

recumbent position

Answer 5

lying down in any position (aka decubitus position)

Question 6

sims position

Answer 6

lying on side in a semi-prone position with the knee drawn up toward the chest and the arm drawn behind parallel to the back. If right or left isn’t specified, left is assumed

Question 7

supine position

Answer 7

lying on back, facing upward (aka dorsal recumbent position)

Question 8

trendelenburg position

Answer 8

lying on back with body tilted to that the head is lower than the feet