Final answer:
To assess the Babinski reflex in a newborn, the nurse should gently stimulate the sole of the baby's foot to elicit a normal dorsiflexion response. The presence of this reflex in adults indicates potential upper motor neuron issues, as it would normally be suppressed by mature nervous system control.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing the Babinski reflex for newborn baby girl Samuels, the appropriate action for the nurse is to gently brush a stimulus, such as the examiner's fingertip, along the plantar surface of the infant's foot.
A normal response in a newborn is dorsiflexion of the foot with extension and splaying of the toes, which is known as a positive Babinski sign. This reflex is part of a neurological exam where reflexes indicate proper functioning of the lower motor neurons (LMN).
The presence of the Babinski sign in adults, however, can be problematic because it indicates reduced myelination of the spinal tract usually due to an upper motor neuron (UMN) disease.
In adults, this reflex is normally suppressed by corticospinal input, and its presence suggests a lack of descending inhibition to the spinal motor neurons. As a result, an adult with a positive Babinski sign may have difficulty maintaining balance when walking or standing.