PMC Positioning & Draping Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a pregnant client is positioned in the lateral recumbent (side-lying) position, which body part should be supported with a pillow FIRST to maintain spinal alignment?
- The head and neck
- The top knee and hip (Correct answer)
- The lower back lumbar curve
- The ankles and feet
Correct answer: The top knee and hip
Supporting the top knee and hip with a pillow prevents the pelvis from rotating forward and maintains neutral spinal alignment.
Question 2: A client at 30 weeks gestation reports dizziness and nausea after being repositioned to a semi-reclined position. What is the most likely cause?
- Dehydration from the session
- Supine hypotensive syndrome from partial aortic compression (Correct answer)
- An adverse reaction to massage lubricant
- Anxiety related to the prone bolster system
Correct answer: Supine hypotensive syndrome from partial aortic compression
Even a semi-reclined position can compress the aorta and inferior vena cava in late pregnancy, reducing cardiac output and causing supine hypotensive syndrome.
Question 3: Which draping material is generally LEAST appropriate for prenatal massage clients who frequently experience temperature sensitivity?
- Cotton flannel sheets
- Bamboo blend sheets
- Polyester microfiber sheets (Correct answer)
- Jersey knit cotton sheets
Correct answer: Polyester microfiber sheets
Polyester microfiber is less breathable and can trap heat, making it uncomfortable for clients experiencing pregnancy-related heat sensitivity.
Question 4: During a side-lying massage, the therapist wants to work on the client's upper trapezius. What draping adjustment is most appropriate?
- Remove the top sheet entirely from the upper body
- Fold the sheet down to expose only the shoulder and upper back while keeping the rest covered (Correct answer)
- Tuck the sheet under the client's chin and tuck it behind the neck
- Ask the client to hold the sheet in place with her hand
Correct answer: Fold the sheet down to expose only the shoulder and upper back while keeping the rest covered
Folding the sheet to expose only the targeted area maintains modesty while providing the therapist adequate access to the upper trapezius.
Question 5: What is the primary reason prenatal bolster systems use an open center or cutout design for the abdominal area?
- To reduce the cost of bolster manufacturing
- To allow the abdomen to hang freely without compression (Correct answer)
- To improve air circulation for the client's comfort
- To make repositioning faster during the session
Correct answer: To allow the abdomen to hang freely without compression
The cutout design suspends the abdomen in free space, eliminating any direct pressure on the uterus while allowing a prone-like position.
Question 6: A therapist is preparing a side-lying position for a third-trimester client. How many support pillows are minimally recommended for a complete setup?
- One pillow under the head only
- Two pillows — one under the head, one between the knees
- Three pillows — head, between knees, and under the top arm
- Four or more pillows — head, belly, between knees, and under top arm (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Four or more pillows — head, belly, between knees, and under top arm
A thorough third-trimester side-lying setup typically requires at least four pillows to support the head, stabilize the growing belly, separate the knees, and support the top arm.
Question 7: When using a full-body pregnancy pillow as a positioning aid, what is the MOST important safety check before the client lies down?
- Confirm the pillow is the correct brand recommended by AMTA
- Ensure the pillow is positioned on a table with adequate width to prevent falls (Correct answer)
- Verify the pillow's cover is freshly laundered
- Check that the pillow firmness matches the trimester
Correct answer: Ensure the pillow is positioned on a table with adequate width to prevent falls
Table width safety is critical because a full-body pillow can shift the client toward the table edge, creating a fall risk on standard massage tables.
PMC Positioning & Draping Techniques 2
When a pregnant client is positioned in the lateral recumbent (side-lying) position, which body part should be supported with a pillow FIRST to maintain spinal alignment?