Directional Terms and Positions Practice Questions

64 multiple-choice questions on Directional terms and positions for paramedic and EMT students, from Chapter 7 (Medical Terminology). Read each question, pick your answer, then tap Show answer to check it and read the explanation.

64 practice questions

1. Anterior means:

   1. A. Away from the body's midline
   2. B. Toward the back of the body
   3. C. Toward the front of the body
   4. D. Toward the top of the head
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Toward the front of the body

   Ventral is a synonym.

2. Posterior means:

   1. A. Toward the back
   2. B. Toward the midline
   3. C. Toward the front
   4. D. Toward the feet
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Toward the back

   Dorsal is a synonym.

3. Superior means:

   1. A. In front or toward the belly
   2. B. Farther from the trunk
   3. C. Below or toward the feet
   4. D. Above or toward the head
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Above or toward the head

   Cephalad has a similar meaning.

4. Inferior means:

   1. A. Nearer the midline
   2. B. Above or toward the head
   3. C. Behind or toward the back
   4. D. Below or toward the feet
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Below or toward the feet

   Caudad has a similar meaning.

5. Medial means:

   1. A. Toward the head
   2. B. Away from the midline
   3. C. Toward the surface
   4. D. Toward the midline
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Toward the midline

   The nose is medial to the eyes.

6. Lateral means:

   1. A. Below the waist
   2. B. Away from the midline
   3. C. Toward the body's surface
   4. D. Toward the midline
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Away from the midline

   The ears are lateral to the nose.

7. Proximal means:

   1. A. Toward the skin
   2. B. Nearer to the trunk
   3. C. Toward the front
   4. D. Farther from the trunk
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Nearer to the trunk

   The elbow is proximal to the wrist. Proximal means nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk.

8. Distal means:

   1. A. Farther from the trunk
   2. B. Toward the back of the body
   3. C. Toward the midline
   4. D. Nearer the trunk
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Farther from the trunk

   The fingers are distal to the wrist. Distal means farther from the point of attachment or the trunk.

9. Superficial means:

   1. A. Near the surface
   2. B. Toward the head
   3. C. On the left side
   4. D. Deep within the body
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Near the surface

   A superficial laceration involves the outer layers.

10. Bilateral means:

    1. A. Front and back
    2. B. One side only
    3. C. Top and bottom
    4. D. Both sides
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Both sides

    Bilateral breath sounds means both lungs.

11. A patient lying face up is:

    1. A. Prone
    2. B. Fowler
    3. C. Supine
    4. D. Lateral recumbent
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Supine

    Prone is face down.

12. The recovery position is another name for the:

    1. A. Semi-Fowler position
    2. B. Lateral recumbent
    3. C. Supine with legs raised
    4. D. Modified Trendelenburg
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Lateral recumbent

    It helps keep the airway clear in an unresponsive breathing patient.

13. The Fowler position describes a patient who is:

    1. A. Head down with feet raised
    2. B. Sitting up with the head raised
    3. C. Lying on the left side
    4. D. Lying flat on the back, face up
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Sitting up with the head raised

    Semi-Fowler is a lower angle. Fowler is sitting up, usually at about 45 to 90 degrees.

14. The Trendelenburg position places the patient:

    1. A. Sitting upright with legs dangling
    2. B. Supine with head below the feet
    3. C. On the left side with knees bent
    4. D. Prone with the head turned aside
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Supine with head below the feet

    Its routine use in shock is no longer recommended.

15. Ventral is a synonym for:

    1. A. Anterior
    2. B. Posterior
    3. C. Lateral
    4. D. Superior
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Anterior

    Toward the belly.

16. Dorsal is a synonym for:

    1. A. Superior
    2. B. Inferior
    3. C. Anterior
    4. D. Posterior
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Posterior

    Toward the back.

17. Cephalad means:

    1. A. Toward the head
    2. B. Toward the feet
    3. C. Toward the side
    4. D. Toward the back
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Toward the head

    Cephalic is similar.

18. Caudad means:

    1. A. Toward the front
    2. B. Toward the head
    3. C. Toward the midline
    4. D. Toward the feet
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Toward the feet

    Caudal is similar. Caudad means toward the feet or tail.

19. Cranial as a direction means:

    1. A. Toward the feet
    2. B. Toward the skull
    3. C. Toward the back
    4. D. Toward the side
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Toward the skull

    Synonymous with superior in humans.

20. Palmar refers to:

    1. A. Palm of the hand
    2. B. Sole of the foot
    3. C. Top of the foot
    4. D. Back of the hand
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Palm of the hand

    Palmar surface.

21. Plantar refers to:

    1. A. Top of the foot
    2. B. Back of the hand
    3. C. Palm of the hand
    4. D. Sole of the foot
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Sole of the foot

    Plantar flexion points the toes.

22. Dorsal in reference to the hand or foot means:

    1. A. Thumb side or big-toe side
    2. B. Little-finger or little-toe side
    3. C. Palm of hand or sole of foot
    4. D. Back of hand or top of foot
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Back of hand or top of foot

    Dorsalis pedis pulse is on top of the foot.

23. Ipsilateral means:

    1. A. Midline
    2. B. Same side
    3. C. Both sides
    4. D. Opposite side
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Same side

    Ipsilateral weakness.

24. Contralateral means:

    1. A. Same side
    2. B. Both sides
    3. C. Opposite side
    4. D. Center
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Opposite side

    Stroke causes contralateral deficits.

25. Deep means:

    1. A. Toward the side
    2. B. Toward the head
    3. C. Away from the surface
    4. D. Near the skin surface
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Away from the surface

    Deep vein thrombosis. Deep means away from the surface, toward the interior.

26. Central means:

    1. A. Toward the limbs
    2. B. Toward the core
    3. C. Toward the surface
    4. D. Toward the head
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Toward the core

    Central cyanosis. Central means toward the center or core of the body.

27. Peripheral means:

    1. A. Toward the back or spine
    2. B. Toward the limbs or surface
    3. C. Toward the head or neck
    4. D. Toward the body's core or center
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Toward the limbs or surface

    Peripheral pulses. Peripheral means away from the center, toward the limbs or surface.

28. Internal means:

    1. A. Above
    2. B. Beside
    3. C. Outside
    4. D. Inside
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Inside

    Internal bleeding.

29. External means:

    1. A. Inside
    2. B. Beneath
    3. C. Outside
    4. D. Below
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Outside

    External jugular.

30. Afferent means:

    1. A. Around a structure
    2. B. Toward a structure
    3. C. Away from a structure
    4. D. Across a structure
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Toward a structure

    Afferent is arriving. Sensory nerves are afferent, carrying signals toward the brain.

31. Efferent means:

    1. A. Within a structure
    2. B. Alongside a structure
    3. C. Toward a structure
    4. D. Away from a structure
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Away from a structure

    Efferent is exiting. Motor nerves are efferent, carrying signals away from the brain.

32. Prone position means lying:

    1. A. On the side
    2. B. Face down
    3. C. Sitting
    4. D. Face up
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Face down

    Prone restraint is dangerous.

33. For effective chest compressions, the patient should be placed:

    1. A. Prone on a firm surface
    2. B. Supine on a firm surface
    3. C. Left lateral recumbent
    4. D. Semi-Fowler
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Supine on a firm surface

    Supine means lying face up. Compressions need the patient supine on a firm surface so the chest can be compressed against it. Prone is face down. Lateral recumbent is on the side, and semi-Fowler is partly sitting up; neither allows effective compressions.

34. Left lateral recumbent means lying:

    1. A. Face down
    2. B. Face up
    3. C. On the right side
    4. D. On the left side
    Show answer

    Answer: D. On the left side

    The recovery position is often left lateral.

35. A patient in acute pulmonary edema insists on sitting bolt upright. This is the:

    1. A. Trendelenburg position
    2. B. Supine position
    3. C. Left lateral recumbent position
    4. D. High Fowler position
    Show answer

    Answer: D. High Fowler position

    High Fowler is sitting fully upright at about 90 degrees. It eases breathing in pulmonary edema by reducing venous return and improving diaphragm movement. Trendelenburg (head down) and supine would worsen the dyspnea, and lateral recumbent does not help.

36. Semi-Fowler position means:

    1. A. Head lowered about 15 to 30 degrees
    2. B. Head raised about 30 to 45 degrees
    3. C. Head raised about 60 to 90 degrees
    4. D. Head flat with legs raised 30 degrees
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Head raised about 30 to 45 degrees

    Common for comfort and aspiration prevention.

37. High Fowler position means:

    1. A. Lying face down
    2. B. Sitting fully upright
    3. C. Reclined about 30 degrees
    4. D. Lying flat on the back
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Sitting fully upright

    Maximum sitting.

38. A patient at 34 weeks' gestation becomes dizzy and hypotensive while lying flat on her back. Which position is best?

    1. A. Left lateral recumbent
    2. B. Supine with legs raised
    3. C. Trendelenburg
    4. D. Prone, face down
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Left lateral recumbent

    Lying supine lets the gravid uterus compress the inferior vena cava (supine hypotensive syndrome). Turning her onto her left side, or manually displacing the uterus to the left, restores venous return. Trendelenburg still leaves her supine and adds pressure. Prone is not practical in late pregnancy.

39. Reverse Trendelenburg means:

    1. A. Supine, tilted head up
    2. B. Prone, tilted head down
    3. C. Supine with feet elevated
    4. D. Sitting with legs raised
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Supine, tilted head up

    Used in some airway situations. The body stays flat but is tilted so the head is higher than the feet.

40. Tripod position is:

    1. A. Kneeling with the head down
    2. B. Sitting upright, leaning back
    3. C. Supine with both knees bent
    4. D. Leaning forward on the hands
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Leaning forward on the hands

    A sign of respiratory distress. The patient sits and leans forward on the hands or knees.

41. Position of comfort means:

    1. A. Semi-Fowler at about 45 degrees
    2. B. Supine with the legs elevated
    3. C. Whatever the patient prefers
    4. D. Left lateral recumbent
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Whatever the patient prefers

    Let them choose when safe. It is whatever position the patient finds easiest to breathe in or least painful.

42. Shock position historically meant:

    1. A. Supine with legs elevated
    2. B. Sitting upright with legs down
    3. C. Left lateral recumbent
    4. D. Head and chest elevated
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Supine with legs elevated

    Evidence for it is weak.

43. Recovery position is used for:

    1. A. Conscious patients with chest pain
    2. B. Patients with suspected spinal injury
    3. C. Pulseless patients during CPR
    4. D. Unresponsive, breathing patients
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Unresponsive, breathing patients

    It protects the airway. It is used when no spinal injury is suspected.

44. Anatomic position has the palms facing:

    1. A. Downward
    2. B. Backward
    3. C. Inward
    4. D. Forward
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Forward

    Thumbs point away from the body.

45. Flexion of the elbow:

    1. A. Straightens the arm
    2. B. Rotates the forearm
    3. C. Bends the arm
    4. D. Raises the arm sideways
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Bends the arm

    Extension straightens it. Flexion decreases the joint angle.

46. Extension means:

    1. A. Decreasing a joint angle
    2. B. Circling a limb
    3. C. Increasing a joint angle
    4. D. Rotating a joint
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Increasing a joint angle

    Hyperextension goes beyond normal. Extension straightens a joint.

47. Abduction means:

    1. A. Movement away from the midline
    2. B. Bending that decreases a joint angle
    3. C. Rotation around a long axis
    4. D. Movement toward the midline
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Movement away from the midline

    Raising the arm to the side.

48. Adduction means:

    1. A. Straightening of a joint
    2. B. Movement away from the midline
    3. C. Movement toward the midline
    4. D. Rotation around a long axis
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Movement toward the midline

    Bringing the arm back to the side.

49. Pronation of the forearm:

    1. A. Turns the palm up
    2. B. Extends the wrist
    3. C. Bends the elbow
    4. D. Turns the palm down
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Turns the palm down

    Supination turns it up.

50. Supination of the forearm:

    1. A. Flexes the elbow
    2. B. Turns the palm up
    3. C. Turns the palm down
    4. D. Abducts the arm
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Turns the palm up

    Think holding soup.

51. Dorsiflexion of the foot:

    1. A. Points the toes down
    2. B. Pulls the toes up
    3. C. Rotates the ankle
    4. D. Turns the sole inward
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Pulls the toes up

    Plantar flexion points down. The toes move up toward the shin.

52. Inversion of the foot:

    1. A. Turns the sole inward
    2. B. Lifts the toes
    3. C. Points the toes
    4. D. Turns the sole outward
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Turns the sole inward

    Ankle sprains often involve inversion.

53. Eversion of the foot:

    1. A. Turns the sole outward
    2. B. Turns the sole inward
    3. C. Points the toes
    4. D. Lifts the toes
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Turns the sole outward

    Less common injury mechanism.

54. Circumduction is:

    1. A. Bending at a joint
    2. B. Straight back-and-forth movement
    3. C. Rotation on a long axis
    4. D. Circular movement of a limb
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Circular movement of a limb

    Arm circles.

55. Rotation is:

    1. A. Straightening a joint past neutral
    2. B. Circular limb movement
    3. C. Turning around a long axis
    4. D. Bending at a joint
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Turning around a long axis

    Turning the head.

56. Opposition refers to:

    1. A. Bending the wrist toward palm
    2. B. Spreading the fingers apart
    3. C. Thumb touching the fingertips
    4. D. Pushing against resistance
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Thumb touching the fingertips

    Unique to the thumb.

57. Proximal and distal are used mainly for:

    1. A. The head and face
    2. B. The trunk
    3. C. The extremities
    4. D. The spinal column
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The extremities

    They describe relative position along a limb.

58. The wrist is what relative to the elbow?

    1. A. Superior
    2. B. Medial
    3. C. Distal
    4. D. Proximal
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Distal

    Farther from the trunk.

59. The knee is what relative to the ankle?

    1. A. Caudal
    2. B. Distal
    3. C. Lateral
    4. D. Proximal
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Proximal

    Closer to the trunk.

60. The sternum is what relative to the spine?

    1. A. Inferior
    2. B. Lateral
    3. C. Anterior
    4. D. Posterior
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Anterior

    Front of the body.

61. The heart is what relative to the lungs?

    1. A. Posterior
    2. B. Superior
    3. C. Lateral
    4. D. Medial
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Medial

    Closer to midline.

62. The skin is what relative to the muscles?

    1. A. Internal
    2. B. Intermediate
    3. C. Superficial
    4. D. Deep
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Superficial

    Closer to the surface.

63. The diaphragm is what relative to the heart?

    1. A. Inferior
    2. B. Anterior
    3. C. Superior
    4. D. Lateral
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Inferior

    Below the heart.

64. The thumb is what relative to the little finger in anatomic position?

    1. A. Distal
    2. B. Medial
    3. C. Lateral
    4. D. Deep
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Lateral

    Palms forward puts the thumb outward.