Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What is the name of the clinical finding when a patient flexes their hips and knees in response to neck flexion?

1. Kernig's sign

2. Brudzinski's sign

3. Rovsing's sign

4. Drawer's sign

The correct answer is: Brudzinski's sign

The clinical finding described in the question is known as Brudzinski's sign. This sign is typically observed in patients with meningitis or other conditions that irritate the meninges. When a clinician flexes the patient’s neck, if the patient involuntarily flexes their hips and knees, it indicates that there may be meningeal irritation. This response occurs due to pain or discomfort caused by the stretching of the meninges and nerves, highlighting the importance of Brudzinski's sign as a diagnostic tool in assessing central nervous system pathologies. Kernig's sign, while also related to meningeal irritation, specifically refers to the inability to straighten the leg when the hip is flexed to 90 degrees. Rovsing's sign is associated with appendicitis and indicates referred pain in the right lower quadrant when the left side is palpated. Drawer's sign pertains to knee stability and is linked to ligament injuries rather than neurological examination. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of neurological conditions.