Question

The pt has a lesion that affects lower motor neurons. During assessment of the pt's lower extremities, the nurse expects to find?

Option 1: Increased muscle tone and hyperreflexia.
Option 2: Decreased muscle tone and hyporeflexia.
Option 3: No change in muscle tone or reflexes.
Option 4: Increased sensation and coordination.

Answer 1

In a patient with lower motor neuron lesions, a nurse should expect to find decreased muscle tone and hyporeflexia, which is Option 2 from the provided choices.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient has a lesion affecting the lower motor neurons (LMNs), one would expect to find certain clinical signs during an assessment of the lower extremities. Specifically, LMN damage commonly results in a decrease in muscle tone and reflexes. This condition is known as flaccid paralysis, characterized by a complete or partial loss of muscle tone, fasciculation, and diminished reflexes due to a lack of innervation to the skeletal muscles.

Therefore, in response to the student's question, during an assessment of a patient's lower extremities with a lesion that affects lower motor neurons, the nurse expects to find Option 2: Decreased muscle tone and hyporeflexia. This is opposed to upper motor neuron (UMN) lesions, which often result in increased muscle tone and hyperreflexia, or a state of spasticity.