Reflex testing Flashcards
Superficial Abdominal Reflex
T8-L1
Stroke briskly and lightly from each quadrant of ab in diagonal manner towards umbilicus
Normal response is contraction of abs and deviation of umbilicus in direction of stimulus
Superficial Corneal “blink” reflex
trigeminal and facial nerves
ask pt to look up and away from you; stroke cornea using cotton
Normal is both eyes will blink with contact to one eye
Superficial Cremasteric reflex
L1-L2
scratch skin of upper medial thigh
normal is a brisk and brief elevation of testicle on ipsilateral side
Superficial Gag reflex
glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves
PT lightly stimulates each side of back of the throat and notes rxn
normal is a gag after stimulation
Superficial Plantar reflex
L5-S1
stroke lateral aspect of sole of foot with blunt end of hammer from heel to ball of foot and medially to base of great toe
Normal is flexion of toes
Babinski is abnormal response
Reflex grading scale
0= no response 1+ diminished/depressed response 2+ active normal response 3+ brisk/exaggerated 4+ very brisk, abnormal
DTR Biceps
C5-C6
suport elbow in partial FL; thumb over bicep tendon at elbow and strike hammer on thumb
DTR Brachioradialis
C5-C6
rest hand on lap in sitting with FA in neutral; strike radius 1-2” superior to wrist
Normal= elbow FL and/or FA supination
DTR Triceps
C6-C7
support humerus, allow arm to hand with elbow FL; strike tendon above elbow
DTR Patellar tendon
L3-L4
supported knee FL, strike inf to patella
DTR Achilles
S1-S2
DF foot, strike above foot
Meaning of Hyperactive DTR’s
interruption of cortical supply to lower motor neuron (secondary to UMN lesion); interruption exists above segment of reflex arc; can determine level of lesion
Meaning of absent DTR
lesion in reflex arc; if sensory loss, lesion in dorsal horn or nerve in afferent arc; if motor loss, lesion in efferent arc
