Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

Which sign is associated with level 2 head trauma?

1. Flaccid response to stimuli

2. Raccoon eyes

3. Decerebrate posturing

4. Pupils fixed and dilated

The correct answer is: Decerebrate posturing

Decerebrate posturing is a significant indicator of level 2 head trauma, often reflecting severe brain injury. This condition arises when there's damage to the brainstem, which is vital for autonomic functions as well as response to stimuli. When the brainstem or motor pathways are compromised, the body may exhibit abnormal posturing such as decerebrate rigidity, characterized by the extension of the arms and legs, hyperextension of the back, and the internal rotation of the arms. This response signifies a loss of voluntary control over muscle movement and indicates a critical level of brain dysfunction. While other signs like flaccid response to stimuli, raccoon eyes, and fixed and dilated pupils also relate to head trauma, they represent different levels of severity or specific types of injury. Flaccid response typically indicates total loss of motor function, often associated with more severe or irreversible brain injury; raccoon eyes indicate basal skull fractures but are not necessarily indicative of the severity of injury; fixed and dilated pupils can suggest severe brain injury or impending herniation. Each sign holds clinical significance, but decerebrate posturing is particularly associated with severe dysfunction in cases of level 2 head trauma.