FAU Advanced Health Assessment Practice Test

What is indicated by upper arms flexed tight to the sides and legs extended in a medical assessment?

1. Decerebrate rigidity

2. Decorticate rigidity

3. Normal motor response

4. Spinal shock

The correct answer is: Decorticate rigidity

The presentation of the upper arms flexed tightly to the sides and the legs extended is indicative of decorticate rigidity. This specific posture usually signifies severe damage to the brain, particularly the pathways that link the cortex to the brainstem. In cases of decorticate rigidity, the arms are flexed, typically at the elbows and held close to the chest, while the legs are extended and internally rotated. This posture reflects an upper motor neuron lesion above the level of the red nucleus, often associated with damage to the cerebral hemispheres or the internal capsule. Patients exhibiting this posture may also display changes in consciousness, as well as alterations in their physical responses to stimuli. In contrast, decerebrate rigidity, which is another form of posturing, exhibits both arms and legs extended with rigid posturing and indicates damage further down in the brainstem. Normal motor response would not present with these features, and spinal shock typically relates to a loss of function below the level of an injury and would manifest differently. Understanding the differences in these postures is crucial for assessing neurological function and determining the extent of brain injury.