While examining the victim of a serious car accident, a physician lightly pokes the patient's leg with a needle. The pokes begin near the ankle and gradually progress toward the knee. Why is the physician poking the patient? Why begin near the foot?

Answer 1

The physician is likely testing the patient's reflexes. Reflexes are involuntary responses to stimuli, and the physician is testing to see if the patient's nervous system is functioning properly. By beginning near the ankle and gradually progressing toward the knee, the physician is able to assess the patient's reflexes in a systematic way.