A nurse is preparing to test a client's plantar Babinski reflex. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give to prepare the client for this test?

A. "Sit on the edge of the bed while I tap your knee." The patellar reflex, also known as the knee-jerk reflex, is tested by tapping the patellar tendon while the client’s leg dangles. This does not assess the Babinski reflex, which involves stroking the sole of the foot. B. "Lie down and I will stroke the bottom of your foot." The Babinski reflex is tested by stroking the lateral aspect of the sole from heel to toe. A normal response in adults is toe flexion, while dorsiflexion of the great toe with fanning of the others is abnormal and indicates neurological dysfunction. C. "Place your foot in my hand and I will tap the back of your heel." This describes testing for the Achilles tendon reflex, which assesses the function of the S1 spinal nerve. The Babinski reflex requires a stroking motion along the foot’s sole rather than tapping the heel. D. "Relax your arm across your chest and I will test your elbow extension." This describes testing the triceps reflex, which assesses the function of the C6-C7 nerve roots. The Babinski reflex is specific to neurological assessment of the lower extremities.