Which term describes an abnormal body position often due to brain injury?

Prepare for the EMT Medical Terminology Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and detailed explanations, to get ready for your certification exam!

Multiple Choice

Which term describes an abnormal body position often due to brain injury?

Explanation:
Posturing describes an abnormal body position caused by brain injury or severe CNS dysfunction. It is a sign that the brain’s control of muscles and posture is impaired, and in severe cases may manifest as fixed positions like decorticate or decerebrate posturing, indicating brain injury with possible brainstem involvement and the need for urgent evaluation and rapid transport. The other terms refer to things rather than positions: prolapsed is the slipping of an organ from its normal place, prosthesis is an artificial device, and plaque is a fatty deposit in arteries.

Posturing describes an abnormal body position caused by brain injury or severe CNS dysfunction. It is a sign that the brain’s control of muscles and posture is impaired, and in severe cases may manifest as fixed positions like decorticate or decerebrate posturing, indicating brain injury with possible brainstem involvement and the need for urgent evaluation and rapid transport. The other terms refer to things rather than positions: prolapsed is the slipping of an organ from its normal place, prosthesis is an artificial device, and plaque is a fatty deposit in arteries.

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