Pediatrics Comprehensive
Questions (Frequently Tested)
with Verified Answers Graded
A+
reflexes of the newborn - Answer: most are protective; if any of these return there is severe
neurological insult, very primitive used for protection of infant
Anal Wink - Answer: S2-S4 gentle stroke and look for contraction of the perianal muscle.
Absence indicates and is suggestive of a lesion on the spinal cord.
Plantar Reflex (Babinski) - Answer: L4 to S4
reflexes-tongue blade/pen
stroke heel of foot
abnormal- toes fan out
normal- toes curl -usually disappears by 6-8 months
Palmar Reflex/Grasping Reflex - Answer: closes his hand around your fingers. Pulling away
causes grip to tighten. Usually disappears by 3-4 month
, Testing CN1 -Olfactory - Answer: will not be assessed until infact is around 5-7 months bc it is
not developed.
Testing CN2-Vision - Answer: Blink reflex
Testing CN III, CN lV and CN VI - Answer: assessing the ability to track through the visual fields
Testing CN5 and CN7 - Answer: facial grimaces
Testing CN8 - Answer: finger snap
A strong moro reflex in 6 mos and older (should disappear by 3-4 months) - Answer: indicates
brain damage (spinal cord/brain lesion)
One sided moro reflex - Answer: r/o brachial plexus injury, fracture of shoulder dystocia
Rooting - Answer: stroking the corner of his mouth causes baby to turn toward stimulus;
appears at birth, goes away by 3-4 mos. If does not occur-sleepy, CNS depression; depressed
infant-
stepping reflex - Answer: basis for complex motor skills, with bare feet touching floor infant will
mimic a stepping response (disappears around 2 months); tests brainstem absence paralysis or
depressed baby
crossed extensor reflex - Answer: flexion of one limb followed by extension of opposite limb; 0-4
months
Landua reflex - Answer: 3 to 15 to 2 years; prone lift both head and legs