Head injury Posturing

Question 1

what are the two famous positions patients may end up being and presenting to us after receiving a severe head injury?

Answer 1

decorticate posturing
decerebrate posturing

Question 2

how does decorticate posturing, otherwise known as flexor posture present itself?

Answer 2

client flexes one or both arms on the chest and may extend the legs stiffly

• think of it as, they are hugging their core

Question 3

usually, according to the nclex ready book, what does decorticate posturing indicate?

Answer 3

usually this indicates a nonfunctioning cortex

Question 4

how does decerebrate posturing, otherwise known as extensor posturing present itself?

Answer 4

client stiffly extends one or both arms and possibly the legs

• think of it as they are flared out and not protecting their core

Question 5

according to the nclex ready book, what does decerebrate posturing usually indicate?

Answer 5

indicates a brainstem lesion

Question 6

between the two postures that a patient can have after a head injury, which one is worst? and why?

Answer 6

decerebrate
- reason why is that the body does not try to protect itself compared to the flex position

• it open to the wild and can easily be worsen more