Which exam finding would be most likely in a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Which exam finding would be most likely in a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome?

• A. Diminished tendon reflexes
• B. Hypertonicity in the affected muscles
• C. Presence of clonus with rapid passive foot dorsiflexion
• D. Ataxic gait pattern

Answer: (A)

Guillain-Barré syndrome affects the peripheral nerves, so the reflex arc itself is disrupted. Demyelination and inflammation slow nerve conduction and impair the pathways needed to produce a tendon reflex, making deep tendon reflexes diminished or absent. This flaccid, low-reflex state is a classic early sign of the condition. Hypertonicity and clonus point to central (upper motor neuron) involvement, not the peripheral nerve pathology seen in Guillain-Barré. An ataxic gait can occur with sensory or motor deficits, but it isn’t as characteristic as the loss of reflexes.

Guillain-Barré syndrome affects the peripheral nerves, so the reflex arc itself is disrupted. Demyelination and inflammation slow nerve conduction and impair the pathways needed to produce a tendon reflex, making deep tendon reflexes diminished or absent. This flaccid, low-reflex state is a classic early sign of the condition.

Hypertonicity and clonus point to central (upper motor neuron) involvement, not the peripheral nerve pathology seen in Guillain-Barré. An ataxic gait can occur with sensory or motor deficits, but it isn’t as characteristic as the loss of reflexes.