A nurse is collecting data from a 9-month-old infant.
Which of the following findings requires a nursing intervention?
A.
Positive Moro reflex.
B.
Negative Doll’s eye reflex.
C.
Positive Babinski reflex.
D.
Negative Crawl reflex.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is:
D. Negative Crawl reflex.
Explanation:
At 9 months of age, certain reflexes and developmental milestones are expected as part of an infant’s growth and neurological development. Here’s a breakdown of the significance of each reflex listed:
A. Positive Moro Reflex: The Moro reflex, or startle reflex, is a normal reflex in infants up to about 4-6 months of age. If this reflex is still present in a 9-month-old, it could indicate an abnormality. However, a positive Moro reflex alone might not require immediate intervention without other concerning signs.
B. Negative Doll’s Eye Reflex: The Doll’s Eye reflex (or oculocephalic reflex) should be absent in infants older than 2 months of age. It is expected that by 9 months, the reflex should be negative, which is normal as it indicates that the infant’s central nervous system is developing typically. A negative Doll’s Eye reflex is a normal finding at this stage and does not necessitate intervention.
C. Positive Babinski Reflex: The Babinski reflex, where the toes fan out when the sole of the foot is stroked, is normal in infants up to about 12 months of age. It indicates proper development of the central nervous system and does not require intervention at this age.
D. Negative Crawl Reflex: The crawl reflex, or crawling reflex, is expected to be present in infants around 6-9 months of age. This reflex involves the infant moving their arms and legs in a crawling motion when placed on their stomach. By 9 months, a negative crawl reflex (i.e., the absence of this reflex) could indicate a delay in motor development or neurological concerns, and thus requires further assessment and potentially intervention.
In summary, a negative crawl reflex at 9 months of age may suggest developmental delays or other issues that need to be evaluated by a healthcare provider to ensure the infant is meeting appropriate developmental milestones and to provide any necessary interventions.