Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC) AMCA Practice Exam

What position refers to a patient lying flat on their back?

1. Supine

2. Prone

3. Sitting

4. Lateral

The correct answer is: Supine

The term used to describe a patient lying flat on their back is "supine." In a supine position, the individual is positioned horizontally with the face and torso upward, which facilitates certain medical examinations and procedures. This position is commonly used for examinations involving the thorax, abdomen, and when performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), among other clinical interventions. Understanding various patient positions is crucial in healthcare settings, as it affects access to various body parts and can enhance patient comfort, safety, and accuracy of diagnosis or treatment. For example, the prone position, which refers to lying flat on the stomach, is used for different types of assessments or interventions, while sitting indicates an upright position where the patient is vertical. The lateral position involves the patient lying on their side. Each of these positions serves unique purposes in clinical practice, highlighting the importance of knowing terminology and applications associated with patient positioning.