NPTE Neurological Practice Test

Which statement best describes the protective extension reflex?

Disrupt BOS Arms or legs extend to catch balance Head righting No movement

Correct Answer:

Arms or legs extend to catch balance

Explanation:

Protective extension is a rapid postural response to losing balance, where the arms (and sometimes legs) extend to reach out and catch or support the body to prevent a fall. This helps bring the center of gravity back over the base of support when balance is threatened, especially with forward displacement. The statement that arms or legs extend to catch balance directly describes this protective reaction, which is distinct from head righting (reorienting the head to vertical) and from having no movement. In development and clinical assessment, this reflex is a key mechanism by which the body protects itself from falls.

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