Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS)

Involuntary leg flexion in response to neck flexing indicates which clinical sign?

1. Positive Murphy's sign

2. Positive Brudzinski's sign

3. Positive Psoas sign

4. Babinski reflex

The correct answer is: Positive Brudzinski's sign

Involuntary leg flexion in response to neck flexing is indicative of a positive Brudzinski's sign. This clinical sign is commonly associated with meningitis, a serious infection of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. When the neck is flexed, the resulting involuntary movement of the legs suggests irritation of the meninges. This response is a key part of the clinical assessment for individuals suspected of having meningitis, helping healthcare providers identify the condition early and initiate appropriate treatment. Other options, while relevant in different contexts, do not relate specifically to the involuntary leg flexion in response to neck movement. For example, Murphy's sign is associated with gallbladder issues, the Psoas sign is linked to appendicitis or psoas abscess, and the Babinski reflex pertains to the neurological examination of upper motor neuron lesions. Each of these signs serves distinct purposes in clinical practice and does not indicate the specific meningitis-related response that Brudzinski's sign does.