A new mother shows the nurse that her baby grasps her finger when she touches the baby’s palm. How might the nurse respond to this information?

Choice A reason: The Moro reflex is a startle response in newborns, triggered by sudden movement or noise, causing arm extension and retraction. It is not elicited by palm stimulation, unlike the described grasping action, which is specific to the palmar grasp reflex, making this choice incorrect for the scenario. Choice B reason: The rooting reflex occurs when a newborn’s cheek is stroked, prompting head turning toward the stimulus to seek feeding. It is unrelated to palm stimulation or grasping, which is characteristic of the palmar grasp reflex, making rooting an incorrect description for the observed behavior. Choice C reason: The palmar grasp reflex is a primitive reflex in newborns, triggered by stroking the palm, causing the fingers to close and grasp. This reflex, present at birth and fading by 6 months, matches the described action of the baby grasping the mother’s finger, making it the correct response. Choice D reason: The plantar grasp reflex involves toe curling when the sole is stroked, not hand grasping. It is a distinct primitive reflex unrelated to palm stimulation. The described action of grasping with the hand clearly indicates the palmar grasp reflex, making plantar grasp incorrect for this scenario.