Surgical Positioning Flashcards
7 cards from real Certified Surgical Technologist practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Surgical Positioning flashcards as text
Which surgical position places the patient flat on their back with arms either tucked or extended on arm boards?
Answer: Supine
The supine position has the patient lying flat on their back and is the most commonly used position for anterior abdominal, thoracic, and extremity surgeries.
Which position places the patient face-down on the operating table to allow access to the posterior body?
Answer: Prone
The prone position has the patient lying face-down and is used for spinal, posterior cranial, and rectal surgeries requiring dorsal access.
The lithotomy position is most commonly used for which category of surgical procedures?
Answer: Gynecological and perineal procedures
Lithotomy elevates and flexes the legs in stirrups, providing optimal access to the perineum, vagina, and lower rectum.
Which nerve is most at risk for compression injury from stirrups in the lithotomy position?
Answer: Common peroneal nerve
The common peroneal nerve wraps around the lateral fibular head and is vulnerable to direct stirrup pressure, causing foot drop if injured.
In the Trendelenburg position, the patient is tilted so that:
Answer: The head is lower than the feet
Trendelenburg tilts the table head-down to shift abdominal organs cephalad, improving pelvic visualization during lower abdominal and laparoscopic surgery.
Reverse Trendelenburg position (head up, feet down) is most beneficial for which type of surgery?
Answer: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and upper abdominal procedures
Reverse Trendelenburg allows gravity to displace abdominal viscera away from the upper abdomen, improving visualization during cholecystectomy and esophageal procedures.
When positioning a patient prone, which device is essential to prevent pressure on the chest and abdomen while allowing adequate ventilation?
Answer: Chest rolls or a prone positioning frame
Chest rolls or a prone frame elevate the thorax and abdomen off the table, protecting female breasts, preventing abdominal compression, and allowing diaphragmatic excursion.