signs/reflexes

Question 1

babinski (describe)

Answer 1

upside down j on foot

Question 2

babinski (interpret)

Answer 2

abnormal = toes go up

UMN lesion

Question 3

Romberg (describe)

Answer 3

patient tries to balance with eyes closed

Question 4

Romberg (interpret)

Answer 4

if close eyes and fall, sensory proprioception problem

if fall before eyes closed, cerebellar problem

Question 5

abdominal reflexes (describe)

Answer 5

stroke from umbilicus to any quadrant
upper quadrants = T6-9
lower quadrants = T10-12

Question 6

abdominal reflexes (interpret)

Answer 6

should deviate toward where you scratch

decreased in lesion to nerve roots or UMN

Question 7

Anal wink (describe)

Answer 7

stroke skin near anus, should contract

Question 8

anal wink (interpret)

Answer 8

if no contraction, S3-5 nerve root lesion

Question 9

cremasteric reflex (describe)

Answer 9

stroke skin inner thigh of male

ipsilateral testicle should elevate

Question 10

cremasteric reflex (interpret)

Answer 10

damage to L1-2 nerve roots if no elevation

Question 11

bolbocavernous reflex (describe)

Answer 11

squeeze glans of penis and observe anal sphincter contraction

Question 12

bulbocavernous reflex (interpret)

Answer 12

S3-4 nerve roots if no reflex elicited

Question 13

frontal sign reflexes

Answer 13

should disappear after infancy, if present, probably Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, bihemispheric stroke

Question 14

snout reflex

Answer 14

frontal sign

tap upper lip and watch for puckering

Question 15

palmomental reflex

Answer 15

frontal sign

scratch thenar eminence, watch for ipsilateral mentalis contraction

Question 16

grasp reflex

Answer 16

frontal sign

stroke palm, hand will grasp

Question 17

glabellar sign

Answer 17

frontal sign

tap glabella, watch for repeated blinking