Body Positions

Prone

Patient laying flat on stomach with knees straight, arms can either be under head or at sides

Supine

Patient laying flat on back with knees straight and arms at the sides

Trendelenburg

Patient lies supine at angle with head lower than trunk, knees bent

Modified Trendelenburg

Patient lies supine at an angle with head lower than trunk, knees straight

Reverse Trendelenburg

See Picture. Bed is tilted with the head higher than the trunk

Dorsal Recumbent

Patient laying on back with knees bent and feet flat on the examination table

Lateral Position

See Picture. Laying on the side of the body

Sim's (Left Lateral Recumbent)

Patient lies on the left side with the left arm and shoulder behind the body, right leg and arm sharply flexed on the table and left knee slightly flexed.

Lithotomy

Patient laying on back with knees bent, thighs apart, and feet in stirrups

Knee-Chest

Patient face down with head, chest, and knees on examination table, knees bent with rear end up in the air

Jackknife Position

See Picture. Patient laying prone, folded in two.

Sitting

Patient sits upright on examination table with knees bent over table edge, feet may be resting on footrest

Orthopneic

patient sits on the bed with arms on overbed table and slouching; good for COPD (promotes lung expansion)

Standing/Erect

The patient stands erect facing forward with the arms at the sides

Fowler's

Patient sits upright on examination table with legs extended, trunk at a 90-degree angle with back supported. Knees may be elevated.

Semi-Fowler

The patient is in a half-sitting position with the head of the table elevated 30-45 degrees and the knees slightly bent.

Kidney

See Picture. Patient is lying on one side folded in two

Right Lateral Recumbent

See Picture. Patient lying on the right side.