To obtain baseline vital signs for a patient with suspected orthostatic hypotension, the patient should first rest in which position?

• A. Standing
• B. Seated
• C. Supine
• D. Prone

Answer: (C)

Baseline vital signs are obtained with the patient lying flat because lying eliminates the gravitational effects that alter blood pressure and heart rate. When someone stands, blood pools in the legs, which can cause a drop in blood pressure and a compensatory rise in heart rate that wouldn’t reflect the true resting state. Measuring while supine provides a stable, true baseline from which orthostatic changes can be accurately assessed. The other positions introduce postural changes that would skew the baseline readings, and the prone position is not used for routine baseline vitals.