Question

A medical assistant is preparing a patient for an enema. In which of the following positions should the assistant place the patient for the procedure?

a) Sims position
b) Prone position
c) Trendelenburg position
d) Supine position

Answer 1

For an enema, the patient should be placed in the Sims position (option a), which is lying on the left side with the right knee drawn up. The prone and supine positions are face-down and face-up orientations, respectively, but are not ideal for administering an enema.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a medical assistant is preparing a patient for an enema, the correct position to place the patient in is the Sims position. This position involves the patient lying on the left side with the right knee drawn up toward the chest, and the left arm positioned along the back. This position allows the bowel to straighten, which facilitates the insertion of the enema and the eventual distribution of the enema solution within the colon.

The prone position refers to a body lying face-down, while the supine position refers to a body lying face-up. Both are commonly used positions in medical settings but are not specifically recommended for enema administration. The Trendelenburg position, where the patient's feet are elevated higher than the head, is also not typically used for enemas.