RN Exam Practice
Physiological AdaptationQuestion 1636 of 2368

When the nurse strokes the sole of an adult client's foot, the great toe extends upward. How should the nurse interpret this?

  1. It is an abnormal Babinski response that may signal a neurological problem
  2. It is the expected response in adults and needs no further assessment
  3. It is an expected response in older adults because of normal aging changes
  4. It shows a normal reflex arc at the L2 to L4 level of the spinal cord
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Correct answer: It is an abnormal Babinski response that may signal a neurological problem

The expected adult response is flexion of the toes. Extension, like that of a child under 2 years, may indicate a neurological issue.

Source: Nursing Skills, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Neurological Assessment: Plantar Reflex. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Physiological Adaptation"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026