Your patient is a 35-year-old woman who was driving a minivan that was struck in the driver's side door by another vehicle.You notice that when you apply pressure to her sternum with your knuckles she extends her legs and flexes her arms and wrists.When giving your radio report,which of the following terms should you use to describe this?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The described response is a form of posturing, specifically decorticate posturing, which is characterized by flexion of the arms and wrists and extension of the legs. Tonic-clonic activity refers to seizures or convulsions, Cushing's reflex is a triad of bradycardia, hypertension, and irregular respirations seen with increased intracranial pressure, and Battle's sign is bruising behind the ear that may indicate a skull fracture, none of which are applicable to the scenario described.

Your Patient Is a 35-Year-Old Woman Who Was Driving a Minivan