A nurse is checking a newborn’s Moro reflex.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take to elicit this reflex?
A.
Place the newborn on their abdomen and observe the movement of their extremities.
B.
Stroke the newborn’s cheek toward their mouth.
C.
Stroke upward on the lateral aspect of the newborn’s foot.
D.
Place the newborn on a flat surface and clap hands loudly.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is D. Place the newborn on a flat surface and clap hands loudly.
Explanation:
The Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, is an important primitive reflex observed in newborns. It typically involves a sudden, involuntary reaction to a loud noise or a sudden movement, which is an indication of the newborn’s neurological development and integration of sensory and motor systems.
How to Elicit the Moro Reflex:
To assess the Moro reflex, the newborn should be placed on a flat surface in a supine position. The nurse or examiner then creates a sudden and loud noise, such as clapping hands or a similar loud sound. This noise should be sufficiently startling to elicit a response from the baby.
Response Expected:
When the Moro reflex is properly elicited, the newborn will exhibit the following characteristic responses:
- Startle Reaction: The baby will first show a sudden reaction, often characterized by an abrupt extension and abduction of the arms and legs.
- Crying: This is frequently followed by crying.
- Return to Flexion: After the initial startle, the arms and legs may then flex back towards the body.
Other Options Explained:
- A. Place the newborn on their abdomen and observe the movement of their extremities.
This action is not related to eliciting the Moro reflex. Instead, placing a newborn on their abdomen is used to assess the prone position’s reflexes, like the prone positioning reflex. - B. Stroke the newborn’s cheek toward their mouth.
This action is used to assess the rooting reflex, which is crucial for feeding. It is not related to the Moro reflex. - C. Stroke upward on the lateral aspect of the newborn’s foot.
This action is used to evaluate the Babinski reflex, where the toes fan out when the sole of the foot is stroked. It does not assess the Moro reflex.
The Moro reflex is a critical part of newborn assessment as it provides insights into the baby’s neurological functioning and can help in identifying potential developmental issues early on.