Which newborn reflex is elicited by stroking the lateral sole of the infant's foot from the heel to the ball of the foot?

Choice A rationale

The stepping reflex, also known as the walking or dancing reflex, is elicited by holding the infant upright with their feet touching a flat surface. The infant will make stepping or dancing movements. This is not elicited by stroking the lateral sole of the foot.

Choice B rationale

The Babinski reflex is elicited by stroking the lateral sole of the infant's foot from the heel upward and across the ball of the foot. A positive Babinski sign is characterized by dorsiflexion of the great toe and fanning out of the other toes. This reflex is normal in infants and typically disappears by 12 to 24 months of age.

Choice C rationale

The tonic neck reflex, also known as the fencing reflex, is elicited by turning the infant's head to one side. The arm and leg on the turned side extend, while the arm and leg on the opposite side flex. Stroking the sole of the foot does not elicit this reflex.

Choice D rationale

The plantar grasp reflex is elicited by placing a finger or object across the base of the infant's toes. The toes will curl downward and grasp the object. This reflex is different from the response elicited by stroking the lateral sole of the foot. .

Choice A rationale

Pounding headache, visual changes, and epigastric pain in a patient with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), now known as gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, are classic signs of worsening disease and indicate central nervous system irritability and potential hepatic involvement. These symptoms suggest the condition is progressing towards severe preeclampsia and increase the risk of eclampsia, which is characterized by seizures.

Choice B rationale

Magnesium sulfate is used to prevent seizures in severe preeclampsia. While it can cause side effects such as flushing, warmth, and muscle weakness, it does not typically cause pounding headache, visual changes, or epigastric pain. These symptoms are more indicative of the underlying disease process rather than the treatment.

Choice C rationale

Anxiety due to hospitalization can cause various symptoms, but the specific combination of pounding headache, visual changes, and epigastric pain is more strongly associated with the physiological changes occurring in worsening preeclampsia rather than solely psychological distress.

Choice D rationale

Gastrointestinal upset can cause epigastric pain, but it would not typically be accompanied by pounding headache and visual changes in the context of pregnancy-induced hypertension. The constellation of these symptoms strongly points towards a worsening of the hypertensive condition and potential end-organ involvement. .