Decerebrate Rigidity: Abnormal Extensor Posturing

Questions and Answers

Match the following descriptions with their corresponding signs or measures:

Purpura or petechia of the skin = may occur with meningococcemia Brudzinski's sign = passive flexion of the neck resulting in flexion of the hips and knees Kernig's sign = straightening of the knee with a flexed hip resulting in back and neck pain Peripheral white count = measure of infection

Match the following signs with their corresponding actions or observations:

Brudzinski's sign = passive flexion of the neck resulting in flexion of the hips and knees Kernig's sign = straightening of the knee with a flexed hip resulting in back and neck pain Peripheral white count = assessed through blood tests CRP and/or ESR = other measures of infection

Match the following descriptions with their clinical signs:

Purpura or petechia of the skin = may indicate meningococcemia Brudzinski's sign = seen with passive neck flexion causing hip and knee flexion Kernig's sign = back and neck pain when straightening a flexed hip Peripheral white count = can indicate infection level

Match the clinical signs with their corresponding physiology:

Purpura or petechia = may occur with meningococcemia Brudzinski's sign = hip and knee flexion with neck flexion Kernig's sign = pain on knee extension with hip flexed ESR = measure of inflammation Signup and view all the answers

Match the following signs or tests with their findings or indications:

Purpura or petechia = indication of meningococcemia Brudzinski's sign = positive when neck flexion causes hip and knee flexion Kernig's sign = positive when knee extension causes back pain CRP = indicator of inflammation Signup and view all the answers

Match the signs with their associated conditions or findings:

Purpura or petechia = linked with meningococcemia Brudzinski's sign = hip and knee flexion upon neck flexion Kernig's sign = painful knee extension when hip is flexed Peripheral white count = measure of infection Signup and view all the answers

Match the following medical signs with their descriptions:

Nuchal Rigidity = Resistance to passive flexion of the neck Kernig's Sign = Resistance to further flexion or pain in the lower back or posterior leg Neck Stiffness = Discomfort in the head or back Brudzinski's Sign = Indicates meningeal irritation Signup and view all the answers

Match the following medical signs with their assessment methods:

Nuchal Rigidity = Passive flexion of the neck Kernig's Sign = Flexing the patient's hip and knee to a 90-degree angle Neck Stiffness = Attempting to passively flex the patient's neck Brudzinski's Sign = Not specified Signup and view all the answers

Match the following medical conditions with their symptoms:

Meningeal Irritation = Headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and photophobia Subarachnoid Hemorrhage = Sudden severe headache Central Nervous System Infections = Fever, nausea, vomiting Neck Stiffness = Pain or discomfort in the neck, back, or head Signup and view all the answers

Match the following medical procedures with their purposes:

Cerebrospinal Fluid Examination = To diagnose central nervous system infections or inflammation Lumbar Puncture = To collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid Kernig's Sign Test = To assess meningeal irritation Nuchal Rigidity Assessment = To evaluate neck stiffness Signup and view all the answers

Match the following medical signs with their underlying causes:

Neck Stiffness = Meningeal irritation Kernig's Sign = Meningitis or subarachnoid hemorrhage Nuchal Rigidity = Central nervous system infections Brudzinski's Sign = Meningeal irritation or central nervous system infections Signup and view all the answers

Match the following medical tests with their findings:

Cerebrospinal Fluid Examination = Cell count, protein and glucose levels, and bacterial or viral cultures Kernig's Sign Test = Resistance to further flexion or pain in the lower back or posterior leg Lumbar Puncture = Cerebrospinal fluid sample Nuchal Rigidity Assessment = Degree of neck stiffness Signup and view all the answers

Match the following medical signs with their characteristics:

Neck Stiffness = Resistance to passive flexion of the neck Kernig's Sign = Pain or discomfort in the lower back or posterior leg Nuchal Rigidity = Difficulty touching the chin to the chest Brudzinski's Sign = Meningeal irritation or central nervous system infections Signup and view all the answers

Match the following medical procedures with their indications:

Cerebrospinal Fluid Examination = Suspected central nervous system infections or inflammation Lumbar Puncture = Diagnosing meningitis or subarachnoid hemorrhage Kernig's Sign Test = Assessing meningeal irritation Nuchal Rigidity Assessment = Evaluating neck stiffness Signup and view all the answers

Match the following medical signs with their related symptoms:

Neck Stiffness = Pain or discomfort in the neck, back, or head Kernig's Sign = Lower back or posterior leg pain Nuchal Rigidity = Headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and photophobia Brudzinski's Sign = Meningeal irritation or central nervous system infections Signup and view all the answers

Match the following medical procedures with their components:

Cerebrospinal Fluid Examination = Lumbar puncture and CSF analysis Kernig's Sign Test = Flexing the patient's hip and knee to a 90-degree angle Nuchal Rigidity Assessment = Passive flexion of the neck Lumbar Puncture = Collecting a sample of cerebrospinal fluid Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Decerebrate Rigidity or Abnormal Extensor Posturing

Decerebrate posture is a sign of severe brain injury characterized by rigidity in the arms and legs due to damage to the brainstem.
It is depicted by a patient lying on their back with their arms extended and legs straightened.

Decorticate Posturing

Characterized by elbows, wrists, and fingers being flexed, and legs being extended and rotated inward.
May be accompanied by purpura or petechia of the skin, which can occur with meningococcemia.
Assessment includes meningeal irritation tests, such as:
- Brudzinski's sign: passive flexion of the neck resulting in flexion of the hips and knees.
- Kernig's sign: straightening of the knee with a flexed hip resulting in back and neck pain, present in 50% of cases.
Diagnosis may also involve:
- Peripheral white count.
- Other measures of infection, such as CRP and/or ESR.

Brudzinski's Sign

Indicates meningeal irritation, a symptom of conditions like meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or central nervous system infections.

Nuchal Rigidity

Also known as neck stiffness, a common symptom of meningeal irritation.
Characterized by resistance to passive flexion of the neck.
Patients may have difficulty touching their chin to their chest.

Kernig's Sign

A clinical test to assess meningeal irritation.
Involves flexing the patient's hip and knee to a 90-degree angle.
Resistance to further flexion or pain in the lower back or posterior leg indicates a positive sign, suggesting meningeal irritation.

Meningeal Irritation

Occurs when the meninges (protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) become inflamed.
Causes include bacterial or viral infections, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and chemical irritation.
Symptoms may include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and photophobia.

Neck Stiffness

A common symptom of meningeal irritation and Brudzinski's sign.
May be accompanied by pain or discomfort in the neck, back, or head.
Assessed by attempting to passively flex the patient's neck.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Examination

A diagnostic test to assess for central nervous system infections or inflammation.
Involves collecting a sample of CSF through a lumbar puncture (spinal tap).
Examination may include tests for cell count, protein and glucose levels, and bacterial or viral cultures.

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Description

Identify the signs of severe brain injury through decerebrate posture, characterized by rigidity in the arms and legs due to brainstem damage.