Positioning & Draping Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real PMC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Positioning & Draping Techniques flashcards as text
A client at 22 weeks gestation prefers to lie on her back. What is the BEST therapist response?
Answer: Elevate the head of the table to at least 45 degrees and use a left hip wedge before allowing any supine work
A semi-reclined position with a left hip tilt reduces aortic and IVC compression, making supine work safer for second-trimester clients.
Which anatomical landmark is used to determine the correct height of the head pillow when setting up a side-lying position?
Answer: The pillow height should maintain the cervical spine in neutral alignment with the thoracic spine
The head pillow height is correct when it supports neutral cervical alignment, keeping the cervical and thoracic spine in one continuous line.
During a prenatal massage, the client requests work on her inner thighs. What draping approach is MOST professional?
Answer: Expose the inner thigh by making a diagonal drape fold from hip to knee, maintaining coverage of the pubic area
A diagonal drape fold exposes the inner thigh while ensuring the inguinal and pubic regions remain fully covered, balancing access and modesty.
What is the recommended maximum angle of table head elevation when a prenatal client uses a semi-reclined supine position?
Answer: 45 degrees
A 45-degree elevation effectively offloads the uterus from the vena cava while still allowing the therapist to work on the anterior body.
A therapist notices the draping sheet has slipped during a session, partially exposing the client's abdomen. What is the correct action?
Answer: Immediately pause the massage and adjust the draping before continuing
Client modesty and comfort require an immediate draping correction without delay, as accidental exposure should not be allowed to persist.
Which condition would make the standard side-lying position MOST difficult to maintain comfortably for a prenatal client?
Answer: Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD)
Symphysis pubis dysfunction causes significant pain with hip abduction and internal rotation, making standard side-lying positioning with a knee pillow challenging without specialized adaptation.
When working on the sacrum of a side-lying client, the therapist needs to adjust the draping. What is the correct technique?
Answer: Fold the sheet from the lower back toward the gluteal cleft, exposing the sacrum while keeping the gluteal area covered
Folding the sheet to expose only the sacral region while keeping the gluteal area covered provides necessary access with appropriate modesty boundaries.