Which of the following actions should the nurse perform to elicit the Babinski’s reflex?
A.
Hold the baby upright with his feet touching a flat surface.
B.
Stroke the outer edge of the baby’s sole from heel to toe.
C.
Allow the head and trunk of the baby to fall backward to an angle of 30 degrees.
D.
Turn the baby’s head to one side while he is lying supine.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is B. Stroke the outer edge of the baby’s sole from heel to toe.
Explanation:
Babinski’s reflex, also known as the plantar reflex, is a reflex action observed in infants that involves the upward movement of the big toe and fanning of the other toes when the sole of the foot is stroked. This reflex is normal in infants up to around 2 years old and is a sign of proper neurological function.
Here’s why option B is correct and the others are not:
- A. Hold the baby upright with his feet touching a flat surface: This action is used to elicit the Stepping reflex or Walking reflex, not the Babinski reflex. The stepping reflex involves the baby making stepping motions when their feet touch a flat surface, simulating walking.
- B. Stroke the outer edge of the baby’s sole from heel to toe: This is the correct method to elicit the Babinski reflex. When the outer edge of the sole is stroked from heel to toe, the normal response is the extension of the big toe and fanning out of the other toes. This reflex is an indicator of the functioning of the neural pathways in the brain and spinal cord.
- C. Allow the head and trunk of the baby to fall backward to an angle of 30 degrees: This action is associated with the Moro reflex or Startle reflex, not the Babinski reflex. The Moro reflex occurs when a baby feels a sensation of falling, causing them to extend their arms and legs before pulling them back in.
- D. Turn the baby’s head to one side while he is lying supine: This action is used to elicit the Tonic Neck Reflex, also known as the Fencing reflex. It involves the baby extending the arm and leg on the side they are facing while flexing the arm and leg on the opposite side.
In summary, to correctly elicit the Babinski reflex, you need to stroke the outer edge of the baby’s sole from heel to toe.