Title: Place the patient in the prescribed position.
Course: Medical Assistant I (14151-I) > Section: Preparing a Patient for a Physical Examination

Placement in the prescribed position should include

- adjusting the examination table
- assisting the patient as needed
- providing pillows/supportive devices
- selecting and placing pillows for comfort, safety, and optimal body alignment
- body positions (i.e., dorsal recumbent, knee-chest, prone, Sims, supine, lithotomy, fowlers, semi-fowlers, Trendelenburg, proctologic/jackknife).

Teacher Resource:

- Anatomy, Patient Positioning, National Library of Medicine

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are commonly prescribed positions for patients?
- What are the procedures for placing patients in commonly prescribed positions?
- What are procedures for positioning patients with special needs?
- What criteria are used to determine which position to use for a given procedure?