Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) Practice Exam

During an assessment of a comatose individual, loud auditory stimuli are used to evaluate which response?

1. The startle reflex

2. Auditory localization

3. Auditory comprehension

4. The entrainment response

The correct answer is: The startle reflex

Using loud auditory stimuli during the assessment of a comatose individual primarily evaluates the startle reflex, which is an involuntary reaction to a sudden or unexpected stimulus, such as a loud noise. The purpose of this assessment is to determine if the individual retains any responses to sensory input, which can be a crucial indicator of neurological function even in the absence of consciousness. A positive startle response may suggest some level of brain function, albeit it does not necessarily correlate to higher cognitive processes or awareness. Auditory localization, on the other hand, requires the ability to locate the source of a sound, which typically necessitates a level of awareness and processing that comatose individuals do not exhibit. Similarly, auditory comprehension involves understanding sounds and speech, which is not relevant in a comatose state. The entrainment response relates to the synchronization or rhythmic alignment of bodily functions to external stimuli, which again is not applicable for someone who is comatose. Hence, the startle reflex is the appropriate response to evaluate in this context.