Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

How should an OB patient over 3 months gestation be transported?

1. Supine position

2. Sitting upright

3. Left lateral recumbent position

4. Right lateral recumbent position

The correct answer is: Left lateral recumbent position

Transporting an obstetric patient who is more than three months pregnant should ideally be done in the left lateral recumbent position. This position is recommended primarily to prevent complications associated with the compression of the inferior vena cava. As the uterus enlarges during pregnancy, particularly after the first trimester, it can exert pressure on blood vessels when a woman is lying supine (on her back). This pressure may lead to reduced venous return to the heart and, subsequently, decreased cardiac output, which can cause hypotension and potentially compromise both maternal and fetal circulation. The left lateral recumbent position helps to alleviate this pressure, promoting optimal venous return and maintaining adequate perfusion for both the mother and fetus. Additionally, this position can help prevent the risk of supine hypotensive syndrome, a condition that can occur when the pregnant uterus compresses major blood vessels while the woman is lying flat on her back. While other positions (like sitting upright or lying on the right side) may offer comfort or be suitable in particular clinical situations, they do not provide the same protection against vascular compression and subsequent hypotensive issues associated with supine positioning.