During an Assessment of a 32-Year-Old Patient with a Recent

question 14

Multiple Choice

During an assessment of a 32-year-old patient with a recent head injury,the nurse notes that the patient responds to pain by extending,adducting,and internally rotating his arms.His palms pronate and his lower extremities extend as well with plantar flexion.Which of the following statements about these findings is accurate?

• A)This indicates a lesion of the cerebral cortex.
• B)This indicates a completely nonfunctional brainstem.
• C)This is a normal response and will go away in 24 to 48 hours.
• D)This is a very ominous sign and may indicate brainstem injury.