Maternity Nursing Q 142

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Which of the following groups of newborn reflexes below are present at birth and remain unchanged through adulthood?

  

     A. Blink, cough, rooting, and gag

     B. Blink, cough, sneeze, gag

     C. Rooting, sneeze, swallowing, and cough

     D. Stepping, blink, cough, and sneeze

    

    

Correct Answer: B. Blink, cough, sneeze, gag

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Blink, cough, sneeze, swallowing and gag reflexes are all present at birth and remain unchanged through adulthood. Reflexes such as rooting and stepping subside within the first year.

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Option A: The rooting reflex is one of the involuntary primitive motor reflexes, which are also known as the frontal release reflexes, that are mediated by the brainstem. It initiates when the corner of an infant’s mouth is stimulated. When the mouth is touched or stroked, the newborn will turn his or her head towards the stimulus and open the mouth with tongue thrusting. The rooting reflex is present at birth (approximately 28 weeks) and lasts about 4 to 6 months until the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex develops and suppresses the primitive motor reflexes.

Option C: The rooting reflex is essential for survival and growth for it helps the newborn find the source of food (breast or bottle) and initiate feeding. As the frontal lobe matures, the primitive reflexes are replaced with voluntary motor functions. The age when each primitive reflex disappears varies.

Option D: The stepping reflex is also called the walking or dance reflex because a baby appears to take steps or dance when held upright with his or her feet touching a solid surface. This reflex lasts about 2 months.

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