Final answer:
For a right nephrectomy, the patient is placed in the left lateral decubitus position, not the right lateral position as suggested in the question, to provide the best surgical access to the right kidney.
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer the question about the position in which a patient is placed for a right nephrectomy, it's important to understand the location of the kidneys. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine in the retroperitoneal space. The right kidney is slightly lower than the left kidney because it is displaced by the liver. When a surgical team performs a nephrectomy, which is the removal of a kidney, the patient is typically positioned in a way that provides the best access to the affected kidney.
For a right nephrectomy, the patient would generally be placed in the left lateral decubitus position, which means they would lie on their left side. This position allows the surgeon to access the right side of the abdominal cavity where the right kidney is located. The left lateral position is not used for right nephrectomy, as it would not provide optimal access to the right kidney. The right lateral position would not be suitable either, as lying on the right side might make the procedure more difficult by placing extra weight on the kidney that needs to be operated on.
The renal fascia and adipose tissue which envelop the kidneys provide cushioning and support, and they are taken into consideration while positioning the patient. In summary, for a right nephrectomy, the patient would be placed in a position opposite to the side of the kidney that is being removed, which is not the right lateral position as initially proposed in the question.