Positive Brudzinski's and Kernig's signs indicate meningeal irritation. Follow these guidelines to test for these two signs.
With the patient in the supine position, place your hand under his neck and flex it forward, chin to chest. The test is positive if he flexes his ankles, knees, and hips bilaterally. The patient typically complains of pain when the neck is flexed.
With the patient in the supine position, flex his hip and knee to form a 90-degree angle. Then attempt to extend this leg. If the patient exhibits pain, resistance to extension, and spasm, the test is positive.
