The name of the reflex that results in great toe extension from stimulation of the sole of the foot is :

IGNOU PB. Bsc. Nsg. Entrance-2025

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: IGNOU PB. Bsc. Nsg. Entrance-2025

Explanation

The Babinski reflex is an abnormal response in adults where the great toe extends (dorsiflexes) upon stimulating the sole of the foot.
This response is elicited by stroking the lateral aspect of the sole from the heel to the ball of the foot with a blunt object.
In adults, a positive Babinski sign indicates an upper motor neuron lesion affecting the corticospinal tract.
Conversely, this reflex is a normal finding in infants up to about 1-2 years of age due to an immature and incompletely myelinated nervous system.

Option A: The Patellar reflex, or knee-jerk reflex, involves the extension of the knee, not the foot or toes.
Option C: The Achilles reflex, or ankle-jerk reflex, results in plantar flexion (the foot pointing downwards), which is the opposite of the toe extension described in the question.
Option D: The abdominal reflex involves the contraction of abdominal muscles and deviation of the umbilicus when the skin of the abdomen is stroked. It is unrelated to the foot.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Neurological Assessment: Deep and Superficial Reflexes as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Assessing the Babinski reflex is a fundamental component of a neurological examination used to detect damage to the brain or spinal cord, specifically the corticospinal tracts.
A nurse must recognize that a positive Babinski sign in an adult patient is a significant pathological finding that requires prompt reporting to the physician for further investigation, such as neuroimaging.
What if? If the patient described was a 6-month-old infant instead of an adult, a positive Babinski sign (toe extension) would be a completely normal and expected finding, reflecting the immaturity of the corticospinal pathways. In that case, no action or reporting would be necessary.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key actions and body parts described in the question stem: 'great toe extension' and 'stimulation of the sole of the foot'.
Recognize that this specific combination describes a well-known neurological test.
Your task is to recall the correct medical term for this specific reflex from the given options.
Systematically evaluate the options: 'Patellar' relates to the knee, 'Achilles' to the ankle tendon, and 'Abdominal' to the stomach area.
Conclude that the 'Babinski' reflex is the only option that specifically describes the response of the toes to stimulation of the sole of the foot.
Match the described clinical sign to the correct term to select the answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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