Which term describes lying flat on the back with the face upward?

• A. Supine
• B. Prone
• C. Lateral
• D. Sims

Answer: (A)

Lying flat on the back with the face upward is called supine. This position means the person is on their back, chest and abdomen facing upward, which is common for exams and many procedures because it provides easy access to the front of the body and keeps the body in a neutral alignment. It differs from prone (lying on the stomach, face downward), lateral (lying on one side), and Sims (a specific left-side position with the knee bent and one arm extended). So, the term describes back-lying, face-up posture.