Positions for physical exams

Question 1

Fowler’s

Answer 1

• sitting position with the back of the exam table raised to a 90 angle
• exams involving the eyes, ears, nose, throat, chest

Question 2

Semi-Fowler’s

Answer 2

• seated leaning against the back of a table that has been raised to a 45 angle
• exams involing the chest, for those with SOB, who cant lay down in supine

Question 3

Sims’ (lateral)

Answer 3

• laying on the left side with the left leg slightly flexed and the right leg flexed at a 90 angle, can involve a pillow placed between the knees
• exams involing the rectum, enemas

Question 4

Knee-chest

Answer 4

• prone and bent at the waist resting on the knees with the arms above the head
• gynecological or rectal exams, treatments of spinal adjustments

Question 5

Jack-knife

Answer 5

• lying over an exam table that is lifted in the middle
• rectal exams or instrumentation (flexible sigmoidoscopy)

Question 6

Lithotomy

Answer 6

• lying flat on the table with buttocks at the end of the table and feet resting in stirrups
• female pelvic exams

Question 7

Dorsal recumbent

Answer 7

• lying flat on the back with the knees bent
• catheterizations, genital exams of the younger children, adolsecents

Question 8

Prone

Answer 8

• lying flat on the abdomen with the arms above the head
• exams involing the back of the body including the bottoms of the feet

Question 9

Supine

Answer 9

• lying flat on the back with the arms down to the side
• exams involing the front of the body, administrion of CPR

Question 10

Trendelenburg/modified Trendelenburg

Answer 10

• legs elevated above the head to force circulation to vital organs
• shock (requieres a specififc table)