During CPR on a pregnant woman, what adjustment should be made?

• A. Elevate the right hip 7.5-10 cm
• B. Tilt the torso to the left
• C. Place a pillow under the knees
• D. Elevate the left hip 5-7 cm

Answer: (A)

When a pregnant woman is in late gestation, lying flat can compress the inferior vena cava and reduce venous return to the heart, making CPR less effective. The best adjustment is to tilt the patient to the left to relieve that compression. Elevating the right hip by about 7.5–10 cm is a practical way to create a leftward tilt quickly, improving venous return and thus improving the effectiveness of chest compressions during CPR. Tilting the torso to the left alone or placing a pillow under the knees doesn’t reliably relieve the vena cava compression, and elevating the left hip would tilt in the opposite direction, not helping.