Psychiatric Technician Practice Exam

What reflex is indicated by the toes hyperextending and the big toe dorsiflexing when the outer sole of the foot is stroked?

1. Moro reflex

2. Rooting reflex

3. Grasp reflex

4. Babinski reflex

The correct answer is: Babinski reflex

The Babinski reflex is characterized by the reaction of the toes when the outer sole of the foot is stroked. In this reflex, the normal response involves the big toe dorsiflexing (moving upwards) while the other toes fan out or hyperextend. This reflex is particularly noted in infants, serving as a part of their neurological evaluation, as it indicates the presence of intact nerve pathways. In adults, the presence of this reflex can indicate certain neurological conditions if it persists beyond infancy, as it typically disappears around 12 months of age. The other reflexes listed do not correspond to the described action. The Moro reflex is an arm extension reaction to sudden stimuli. The rooting reflex involves turning the head in response to cheek stimulation to find food. The grasp reflex is when an infant automatically grasps an object placed in their hand. Each of these reflexes serves different developmental milestones and functions in an infant's growth and is not related to the hyperextension of toes as seen in the Babinski reflex.