MEDICAL ASSISTANT PHYSICAL EXAM
POSITIONS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
Erect Standing (anatomic) - ANSWER Patient stands upright with arms at sides and palms facing forward
Sitting Position - ANSWER Pretty self explanatory. Patients sits at end of exam table with feet over edge.
Supine (horizontal recumbent) - ANSWER Patient laying flat on back with arms at side.
Used for examination of chest, heart and abdomen
Trendelenburg - ANSWER Patients lies supine position with foot of the table elevated. Treatment for
shock or abdominal surgery
Dorsal recumbent - ANSWER Patient is in supine position with legs flexed at the knees and feet flat on
table. Used for genital and rectum exam
Lithotomy - ANSWER Female patients assume the dorsal recumbent position with feet in the stirrups.
Knees are bent and butt moved to the edge of the exam table. Used for pap smear and pelvic exams
Sims' (Lateral) - ANSWER Patients lies on the their left side with the left arm behind the body and right
arm forward, flexed at the elbow. Both legs flexed at knee and the right leg is sharply flexed and
positioned next to the left leg, which is slightly flexed.
Used to rectal examination, treatments and enemas
Prone - ANSWER Patient lies flat on their stomach with the head turned slightly to the side. Arms can be
positioned above the head and extended or alongside the body.
Used for Back or neck procedures (cervical to sacral), Procedures of the occipital or postero-lateral
cranium
Sacral, perianal & perineal procedures
POSITIONS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
Erect Standing (anatomic) - ANSWER Patient stands upright with arms at sides and palms facing forward
Sitting Position - ANSWER Pretty self explanatory. Patients sits at end of exam table with feet over edge.
Supine (horizontal recumbent) - ANSWER Patient laying flat on back with arms at side.
Used for examination of chest, heart and abdomen
Trendelenburg - ANSWER Patients lies supine position with foot of the table elevated. Treatment for
shock or abdominal surgery
Dorsal recumbent - ANSWER Patient is in supine position with legs flexed at the knees and feet flat on
table. Used for genital and rectum exam
Lithotomy - ANSWER Female patients assume the dorsal recumbent position with feet in the stirrups.
Knees are bent and butt moved to the edge of the exam table. Used for pap smear and pelvic exams
Sims' (Lateral) - ANSWER Patients lies on the their left side with the left arm behind the body and right
arm forward, flexed at the elbow. Both legs flexed at knee and the right leg is sharply flexed and
positioned next to the left leg, which is slightly flexed.
Used to rectal examination, treatments and enemas
Prone - ANSWER Patient lies flat on their stomach with the head turned slightly to the side. Arms can be
positioned above the head and extended or alongside the body.
Used for Back or neck procedures (cervical to sacral), Procedures of the occipital or postero-lateral
cranium
Sacral, perianal & perineal procedures
