During a neurologic assessment of a client, the nurse notes that the client's arms, wrists, and fingers have become flexed, and internal rotation and plantar flexion of the legs are evident. How does the nurse document these findings?

a. Decorticate posturing
b. Decerebrate posturing
c. Atypical hyperreflexia
d. Spinal cord degeneration


A
The client is demonstrating decorticate posturing, which is seen with interruption in the corticos-pinal pathway. This finding is abnormal and is a sign that the client's condition has deteriorated. The physician, the charge nurse, and other health care team members should be notified imme-diately of this change in status. Decerebrate posturing consists of external rotation and extension of the extremities. The other two options are inaccurate.

Nursing

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