The nurse is doing a neurologic assessment on a 2-month-old infant after a car accident. Moro, tonic neck, and withdrawal reflexes are present. The nurse should recognize that these reflexes are:
Symptomatic of decorticate posturing
Symptomatic of decerebrate posturing
Indicators of severe brain damage
Normal Findings
The Correct Answer is D
Reflexes play a crucial role in evaluating the neurological status of infants.
Moro reflex: Also known as the startle reflex, the Moro reflex is a normal response in infants. It occurs when an infant is startled by a sudden noise or movement. The baby responds by extending their arms and legs, followed by a quick contraction. This reflex usually disappears around 4-6 months of age.
Tonic neck reflex (fencer's reflex): This reflex involves turning an infant's head to one side, causing the arm on that side to extend and the opposite arm to flex. It's a normal reflex that typically disappears around 4-6 months of age.
Withdrawal reflex: The withdrawal reflex is a normal response to a stimulus, such as touching a baby's foot with a cold object. The baby will pull their leg away in response to the stimulus.
Symptomatic of decorticate or decerebrate posturing (options A and B):
Decorticate and decerebrate posturing are abnormal postures seen in individuals with severe brain damage or injury. Decorticate posturing involves the arms being flexed and held close to the body, while decerebrate posturing involves the arms being extended and the wrists being pronated. These reflexes are typically indicative of significant neurological dysfunction and are not expected in a 2-month-old infant after a car accident.
Indicators of severe brain damage (option C):
The reflexes described (Moro, tonic neck, and withdrawal reflexes) are not indicative of severe brain damage in a 2-month-old infant. These reflexes are normal for an infant of this age and are part of their typical neurological development.
Normal findings (option D):
The reflexes described are normal findings in a 2-month-old infant and are expected as part of their developmental milestones.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Spina bifida.
Explanation: Correct Choice. Spina bifida is a neural tube defect (NTD) that occurs during early fetal development when the neural tube doesn't close completely. It can result in various degrees of spinal cord and nerve damage. This is a suitable example to include when teaching about neural tube defects.
B. Hydrocephalus.
Explanation: Hydrocephalus is not a neural tube defect itself. It's a condition characterized by the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, leading to increased intracranial pressure. It can be caused by various factors, but it's not directly related to neural tube development.
C. Cerebral palsy.
Explanation: Cerebral palsy is a group of motor disorders caused by damage to the developing brain, usually before birth. It is not a neural tube defect. Instead, it's related to brain injury or abnormal development.
D. Muscular dystrophy.
Explanation: Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic disorders characterized by progressive muscle weakness and degeneration. It's not related to neural tube defects. Muscular dystrophy affects muscle tissue, while neural tube defects involve improper development of the neural tube.
Correct Answer is ["C","D"]
Explanation
A. The fact that the patient is male
Incorrect Explanation: The patient's gender does not directly provide important information about the history of reflux.
Explanation: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), which is the retrograde flow of urine from the bladder into the ureters, can affect individuals of any gender. While gender might have some implications for certain conditions, it is not a critical factor in understanding the history of reflux.
B. The fact that the patient is female.
Incorrect Explanation: The patient's gender does not directly provide important information about the history of reflux.
Explanation: Just like with the previous option, the patient's gender does not play a significant role in the history of vesicoureteral reflux. The condition can affect both males and females.
C. Developmental milestones
Correct Explanation: Developmental milestones are important in understanding the history of reflux.
Explanation: Developmental milestones are significant because VUR is more common in infants and young children. Infants and young children have a higher likelihood of developing reflux due to the immaturity of their urinary tract systems. Knowing about the patient's developmental milestones can help assess the risk and potential severity of reflux.
D. The number of urinary tract infections the patient has had
Correct Explanation: The number of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is important in understanding the history of reflux.
Explanation: Repeated urinary tract infections can be a sign of vesicoureteral reflux. The backflow of urine from the bladder into the ureters can contribute to UTIs. Monitoring the frequency of UTIs can provide insights into the presence and severity of reflux.
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