Surgical Positions Chapter11 P78-79

Question 1

Define the following positions:
1. Supine
P78

Answer 1

Patient lying flat, face up

Question 2

2. Prone

P78

Answer 2

Patient lying flat, face down

Question 3

3. Left lateral decubitus

P78 (picture)

Answer 3

Patient lying down on his left side

Think: left lateral decubitus = left side down

Question 4

4. Right lateral decubitus

P78

Answer 4

Patient lying down on his right side

Think: right lateral decubitus = right side down

Question 5

5. Lithotomy

P78 (picture)

Answer 5

Patient lying supine with legs spread

Question 6

6. Trendelenburg

P79 (picture)

Answer 6

Patient supine with head lowered (a.k.a. “headdownenburg”—used during placement of a subclavian vein catheter as the veins distend with blood from gravity flow)

Question 7

7. Reverse Trendelenburg

P79

Answer 7

Patient supine with head elevated (usual position for laparoscopic cholecystectomy to make the intestines fall away from the operative field)

Question 8

8. What is the best position for a pregnant patient?

P79

Answer 8

Left side down to take gravid uterus off of the IVC