Question

a nonpurposeful response by an unresponsive patient to painful stimulus may be decorticate posturing. decorticate posturing is

a. the patient bringing his knees up to his chest and grasping them with his hands
b. the patient extending both arms above his head and extending his legs.
c. the patient extending both arms to his sides, extending his legs, and arching his back
d. the patient flexing his arms and extending his legs

Explanation:

Decorticate posturing is a neurological response. In decorticate posturing, the patient flexes the arms (bends them towards the body) and extends the legs. Option A describes a fetal - like position which is not decorticate. Option B is more of an extensor (decerebrate - like in some aspects but not decorticate) and over - generalized arm extension. Option C is a description that does not match the typical decorticate pattern. Option D correctly describes the arm flexion and leg extension characteristic of decorticate posturing.

Answer:

D. the patient flexing his arms and extending his legs