Which sign would be consistent with Kernig's sign in an older child?

Which sign would be consistent with Kernig's sign in an older child?

• A. Flexion of the hip
• B. Resistance to extension of the knee
• C. Pain upon neck flexion
• D. Loss of arm strength

Answer: (B)

Kernig's sign is a clinical test commonly used to assess for meningitis. It is characterized by the resistance to the extension of the knee when the hip is flexed. In older children, when the healthcare provider flexes one of the child’s hips to 90 degrees and then attempts to extend the knee, the child will resist this movement due to pain. This resistance occurs because of irritation of the meninges, which can happen during conditions like meningitis. In this context, the presence of resistance to knee extension while the hip is flexed reflects a positive Kernig's sign, indicating potential meningeal irritation. This is particularly significant in differentiating central nervous system issues related to infection or inflammation. The other options, while they may reflect various physical examination findings, do not specifically relate to Kernig's sign. Flexion of the hip can occur independently and does not indicate meningeal irritation. Pain upon neck flexion reflects Brudzinski's sign, another indicator of meningeal irritation but unrelated to Kernig's sign. Loss of arm strength does not pertain to Kernig's sign and suggests different neurological or muscular conditions. Therefore, the correct identification of resistance to knee extension as consistent with Kernig's sign is

Kernig's sign is a clinical test commonly used to assess for meningitis. It is characterized by the resistance to the extension of the knee when the hip is flexed. In older children, when the healthcare provider flexes one of the child’s hips to 90 degrees and then attempts to extend the knee, the child will resist this movement due to pain. This resistance occurs because of irritation of the meninges, which can happen during conditions like meningitis.

In this context, the presence of resistance to knee extension while the hip is flexed reflects a positive Kernig's sign, indicating potential meningeal irritation. This is particularly significant in differentiating central nervous system issues related to infection or inflammation.

The other options, while they may reflect various physical examination findings, do not specifically relate to Kernig's sign. Flexion of the hip can occur independently and does not indicate meningeal irritation. Pain upon neck flexion reflects Brudzinski's sign, another indicator of meningeal irritation but unrelated to Kernig's sign. Loss of arm strength does not pertain to Kernig's sign and suggests different neurological or muscular conditions. Therefore, the correct identification of resistance to knee extension as consistent with Kernig's sign is