FAU Advanced Health Assessment Practice Test

Which of the following describes the physical manifestation of decerebrate rigidity?

1. Arms adducted and stiffly extended

2. Neck and flexed arms

3. Legs flexed with knees bent

4. Jaw relaxed and limbs loose

The correct answer is: Arms adducted and stiffly extended

Decerebrate rigidity, often resulting from brainstem lesions, is characterized by specific postural changes that indicate severe neurological impairment. The correct answer describes a state where the arms are adducted and stiffly extended, which is a hallmark sign of decerebrate rigidity. In this posture, the individual presents with arms extended at the elbows, which reflects a response to the disturbance of motor pathways within the brainstem. This state typically arises in response to increased muscle tone and is indicative of damage at or below the red nucleus in the midbrain, disrupting normal motor control mechanisms. The extended arms and adduction signify a loss of voluntary control and an abnormal response to stimuli, often accompanied by extension of the legs. In contrast, the other options describe variations of muscle tone and positions that are not consistent with the rigidity seen in reference to decerebrate posturing, such as flexed positions or loose limbs, which suggest different types of neurological conditions or responses.