Lithotomy position is used for examination of the female genitalia, with the patient lying on her back and knees bent, feet in stirrups.

• A. Lithotomy
• B. Sims
• C. Dorsal Recumbent
• D. Prone

Answer: (A)

Think of the goal: expose the genital area for examination. The lithotomy position achieves this by having the patient lie on her back with hips flexed, knees bent, and feet placed in stirrups. This arrangement provides direct access to the vulva, vagina, and cervix, while the legs are supported and spaced, which is essential for performing a speculum exam or other gynecologic procedures safely and efficiently.

Other positions don’t place the body in the same exposing and supportive setup. Sims involves lying on the side with one knee drawn up, which is useful for certain rectal or gynecologic procedures but does not offer the wide, elevated leg positioning of lithotomy. Dorsal recumbent is a supine position with legs extended together, not the flexed, abducted stance used for genital exams. Prone means lying face down, which clearly does not allow access to the genital area.