Which item is included under Bedside Assessment Level 2 (Other assessments)?

• A. Range of motion
• B. Cap refill
• C. Reflexes (pupil, gag, transtracheal, Babinski)
• D. Heart sounds

Answer: (C)

Assessing reflexes falls into the category of additional neurologic and airway-protective assessments. Bedside Assessment Level 2 broadens beyond the basic respiratory and perfusion checks to include neurologic status and reflex integrity, which are crucial for judging brain function, sedation level, and readiness for airway management or weaning. Checking pupillary response, gag reflex, transtracheal reflex, and Babinski provides insight into brainstem function and corticospinal tract integrity, informing clinicians about a patient’s ability to protect their airway and respond to stimuli. The other items—range of motion, cap refill, and heart sounds—represent more basic or domain-specific assessments (musculoskeletal function, perfusion, and cardiovascular status), not the neurologic/airway reflex domain emphasized in Level 2. Hence, reflex testing is the best fit for the “Other assessments” category.