Patient Positioning Cheat Sheet (Latest 2026)

Patient Positioning Cheat Sheet (Latest 2025)




1. A patient is lying flat on their back with their head and shoulders supported
by a pillow, arms at their sides, and a small pillow under their thighs. What is
this position called?
A) Prone
B) Lateral
C) Supine
D) Sims'
Correct Answer-: -: C) Supine
2. For a patient with severe shortness of breath who is sitting upright and
leaning forward with their hands on their knees to aid breathing, which position
are they in?
A) High-Fowler's
B) Orthopneic position
C) Semi-Fowler's
D) Trendelenburg
Correct Answer-: -: B) Orthopneic or tripod position
3. In which position does the patient lie on their abdomen with their head
turned to one side?
A) Supine
B) Prone
C) Dorsal recumbent

,D) Lithotomy
Correct Answer-: -: B) Prone
4. The Trendelenburg position, where the patient is supine with the head lower
than the feet, is primarily used for what purpose?
A) To improve comfort during sleep
B) To facilitate childbirth
C) To promote venous return in emergencies
D) To reduce the risk of aspiration
Correct Answer-: -: C) To promote venous return in emergencies
5. Which position is specifically described as a patient lying on their left side
with the right knee and thigh drawn up and the left arm placed behind the
back?
A) Lateral position
B) Prone position
C) Sims' position
D) Knee-chest position
Correct Answer-: -: C) Sims' position
6. What is the primary indication for placing a patient in the prone position?
A) Gynecological exams
B) Facilitating breathing in patients with ARDS or COVID-19
C) Insertion of a Foley catheter
D) Examining the heart and chest
Correct Answer-: -: B) Facilitating breathing in patients with ARDS or COVID-19
7. A patient is lying on their back with knees flexed and feet flat on the bed. This
position, which is used for some urinary catheterizations, is called:
A) Supine
B) Lithotomy
C) Dorsal recumbent
D) Sims'
Correct Answer-: -: C) Dorsal recumbent
8. The lithotomy position is characterized by the patient lying on their back with
their:
A) Legs extended straight out

, B) Knees bent, thighs apart, and feet resting in stirrups
C) Head lower than their feet
D) Body supported by knees and chest
Correct Answer-: -: B) Knees bent, thighs apart, and feet resting in stirrups
9. When a patient is in a sitting position, either in bed or a chair, what is a key
safety criterion for proper alignment?
A) Knees are higher than the hips
B) The back and buttocks are against the back of the chair
C) Arms are crossed over the chest
D) Feet are tucked under the chair
Correct Answer-: -: B) The back and buttocks are against the back of the chair
10. In the reverse Trendelenburg position, the operating table is tilted so that:
A) The head is lower than the feet
B) The head is elevated 15 to 30 degrees above the feet
C) The patient is lying on their side
D) The patient is in a "jackknife" position
Correct Answer-: -: B) The head is elevated 15 to 30 degrees above the feet
11. What is a crucial safety measure to prevent a patient from sliding when in
the reverse Trendelenburg position?
A) Raising the side rails
B) Using a secure footboard or foot extender
C) Placing a pillow under their head
D) Flexing the patient's knees
Correct Answer-: -: B) Using a secure footboard or foot extender
12. Which position is most helpful for a patient with a breathing problem like
heart failure?
A) Supine
B) Prone
C) Fowler's position
D) Lithotomy
Correct Answer-: -: C) Fowler's position
13. According to Kawamoto and Fortes (a reference cited in exam questions),
which position requires the patient to be kneeling on the bed with knees apart,