Stephanie is in a car accident, flung from her vehicle and landing on her back on pavement. At the scene, an emergency medical technician checks her Babinski reflex, in which the great toe extends upward and the smaller toes fan apart. This reflex
A)may indicate aging of the corticospinal tract.
B)may indicate an injury to the corticospinal tract.
C)is normal in adults.
D)is meaningless in assessing an emergency situation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Babinski reflex in which the great toe extends upward and the smaller toes fan apart is normal in infants but abnormal in adults, as it may indicate an injury to the corticospinal tract. Therefore, checking the Babinski reflex is meaningful in assessing an emergency situation.

Stephanie Is in a Car Accident, Flung from Her Vehicle