Review Moro Reflex/Startle Reflex

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Moro Reflex/Startle Reflex

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Total Questions : 2

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Question 1:

A nurse is assessing a newborn baby for the presence of the Moro reflex.

Which of the following actions should the nurse perform to elicit this reflex?

A. Hold the baby upright and let go of the head for a moment. B. Stroke the baby’s cheek with a finger or a nipple. C. Make a loud noise near the baby’s ear. D. Gently lower the baby’s head backward while supporting the body.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

holding the baby upright and letting go of the head for a moment will not startle the baby enough to trigger the Moro reflex.

Choice B:

stroking the baby’s cheek with a finger or a nipple will elicit the rooting reflex, which helps the baby find the breast or bottle to start feeding.

Choice C:

This will elicit the Moro reflex, which is a normal, involuntary reaction that newborns and infants have when they’re startled.When something triggers the Moro reflex, a baby will extend their arms — moving them outward at the shoulder and then straightening them — and throw their head back.A few seconds later, the arms will naturally come back down and in towards the body.

Choice D:

gently lowering the baby’s head backward while supporting the body will elicit the tonic neck reflex, which causes the baby to assume a “fencing” position with one arm stretched out and the other bent at the elbow.

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Question 2:

A client asks a nurse why their baby exhibits the Moro reflex when they hear a loud noise.

Which of the following responses should the nurse give?

A. “It is a sign of normal brain development and will disappear by 4 months.” B. “It is a protective mechanism that helps the baby cling to their mother.” C. “It is a sign of distress and indicates that the baby needs comfort.” D. “It is a primitive reflex that has no known function in humans.”

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

The Moro reflex is a startle reflex that occurs when a baby hears a loud noise or feels a sudden movement.It causes the baby to throw back his or her head, extend out his or her arms and legs, cry, then pull the arms and legs back in.It is a normal reflex that shows the baby’s nervous system is working well and it usually disappears by 4 months of age.

Choice B:

the Moro reflex is not a protective mechanism that helps the baby cling to their mother.It is an involuntary response that does not involve grasping.

Choice C:

the Moro reflex is not a sign of distress and does not indicate that the baby needs comfort.It is a normal reflex that does not mean the baby is unhappy or in pain.

Choice D:

the Moro reflex is not a primitive reflex that has no known function in humans.It is a normal reflex that may have had an evolutionary role in helping infants alert their caregivers or prepare for a fall.