Final answer:
In cerebral palsy assessment, a positive grasp reflex in a 7-month-old may indicate delayed neurological development, as this reflex usually fades by 6 months. Other symptoms like pigeon chest, harlequin sign, or circumoral cyanosis are not associated with CP.
Step-by-step explanation:
Signs/Symptoms Consistent with Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that arises due to injury to the developing brain either before, during, or shortly after birth. CP primarily affects the parts of the brain responsible for controlling body movements. The symptoms of CP can vary from mild muscle weakness to difficulty walking and talking in more severe cases. When assessing a 7-month-old child with CP, the nurse would be observing for developmental signs consistent with the condition.
The most relevant sign out of the options provided is the positive grasp reflex. Normally, this reflex disappears by the age of 6 months. However, in a child with CP, this grasp reflex may persist beyond this age, indicating abnormal neurological development. The grasp reflex is when an infant's fingers close around an object placed in their hand. This reflex is often used in neurological exams to determine if the lower motor neurons (LMN) are functioning properly.
The other symptoms listed, such as pigeon chest, harlequin sign, and circumoral cyanosis, are not typically associated with cerebral palsy. Pigeon chest refers to a chest deformity. Harlequin sign is a color change in half of the body, and circumoral cyanosis indicates bluish discoloration around the mouth often due to heart or respiratory problems. These are not commonly observed or directly related to CP.