Certified Medical Assistant (CMA AAMA)Procedures, Examinations and DiagnosticsEasy
A medical assistant is preparing a female patient for a routine pelvic and abdominal examination with the patient lying flat on her back, knees bent, and feet flat on the table. What is this position called?
- AFowler's position
- BProne position
- CDorsal recumbent position
- DLithotomy position
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Dorsal recumbent position
The dorsal recumbent position has the patient lying on the back with knees bent and feet flat on the table, used for abdominal and some pelvic exams. Lithotomy adds stirrups for full pelvic exposure, prone is face down, and Fowler's is sitting upright.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Fowler's is sitting upright, unrelated to this description.
- B. Prone is face down, not this position.
- D. Lithotomy requires stirrups for feet, not flat on the table.
Dorsal Recumbent Position
Patient lies on the back with knees bent and feet flat on the exam table, used for abdominal exams and some pelvic/genital exams.
- Similar to lithotomy but without stirrups
- Feet flat on table, knees bent
- Used for abdominal palpation and catheterization
Memory trick: 'Dorsal recumbent = knees bent, feet flat, no stirrups needed'