Question

The MOST OBVIOUS indication of a paralyzed limb in a non traumatic brain injury patient is that the limb will _________.

1) Move if its extremity is lightly jabbed with a pin
2) Be pulseless and feel cold to the touch
3) Be cyanotic and pulseless
4) Appear loose and will lack muscle tone when it is moved by the EMS provider

Answer 1

The most obvious indication of a paralyzed limb in a non-traumatic brain injury patient is that the limb will appear loose and lack muscle tone when moved by a healthcare provider, indicative of flaccid paralysis due to a lower motor neuron lesion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most obvious indication of a paralyzed limb in a non-traumatic brain injury patient is that the limb will appear loose and lack muscle tone when it is moved by the EMS provider. This condition is known as flaccid paralysis, and it is characterized by a complete or partial loss of muscle tone. It is a result of a lower motor neuron (LMN) lesion which causes disruption in the signals that normally enable muscle movements and tone.

When the limb is moved passively by someone else, such as a healthcare provider, the limb may appear lifeless or floppy due to this lack of muscle tone. This symptom differentiates flaccid paralysis from spastic paralysis, which might occur in an upper motor neuron (UMN) lesion, where the limb retains muscle tone and can exhibit spasticity.