Vetinerary Assistant Practice Exam

During which procedure is lateral recumbency often utilized?

1. Ultrasound

2. Cystocentesis

3. Endoscopy

4. Radiography

The correct answer is: Cystocentesis

Lateral recumbency is commonly utilized during cystocentesis because this positioning facilitates easier access to the urinary bladder. When an animal is in lateral recumbency, the bladder can be more effectively palpated and accessed, which is crucial for the procedure, as it requires inserting a needle into the bladder to collect urine. This position reduces the chances of complications and increases the success rate of the procedure. In contrast, while ultrasound, endoscopy, and radiography can involve various positioning depending on the specific requirements of each procedure, they do not generally rely on lateral recumbency as a standard practice. For example, ultrasound might more commonly use ventral recumbency for abdominal imaging, while radiography can be performed in several positions based on the area being imaged. Endoscopy typically requires specific positioning depending on the type of endoscope used and the targeted anatomical area. Hence, lateral recumbency is particularly suited for cystocentesis due to its direct benefits for accessing the urinary bladder.