Chapter 3: Body Positions

Question 1

Fowler position

FOW-ler) (pe-ZISH-en

Answer 1

semi-sitting position with slight elevation of the knees

Question 2

lateral recumbent position

LAT-er-al) (re-KUM-bent) (pe-ZISH-en

Answer 2

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

Question 3

lithotomy position

lith-OT-o-mē) (pe-ZISH-en

Answer 3

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

Question 4

orthopnea position

or-THOP-nē-a) (pe-ZISH-en

Answer 4

sitting upright in a chair or in bed supported by pillows behind the back. Sometimes the patient tilts forward resting on a pillow supported by an overbed table (also called orthopneic position)

Question 5

prone position

prōn) (pe-ZISH-en

Answer 5

lying on abdomen, facing downward (head may be turned to one side) (also called ventral recumbent position)

Question 6

recumbent position

rē-KUM-bent) (pe-ZISH-en

Answer 6

lying down in any position (also called decubitus position)

Question 7

Sims position

simz) (pe-ZISH-en

Answer 7

lying on back, facing upward (also called dorsal recumbent position)

Question 8

Trendelenburg position

tren-DEL-en-berg) (pe-ZISH-en

Answer 8

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