Question

1. when you position a resident on their side, their legs should normally be positioned:

with a pillow between them
however you think
with both legs straight and slightly apart
with both legs bent at 90°

Explanation:

Identify the clinical standard for lateral positioning

When positioning a resident in a side-lying (lateral) position, a pillow must be placed between the knees and ankles to prevent skin-on-skin contact, reduce friction, and maintain proper spinal alignment.

Evaluate the options

• "With a pillow between them": Correct. This prevents pressure ulcers and supports alignment.
• "However you think": Incorrect. Care must follow standardized safety protocols.
• "With both legs straight and slightly apart": Incorrect. This does not support natural alignment or relieve pressure.
• "With both legs bent at 90°": Incorrect. This is not the standard lateral position and can cause joint strain.

Answer:

• With a pillow between them (Correct answer)
• However you think
• With both legs straight and slightly apart
• With both legs bent at 90°