Question

A nurse holds the patient's relaxed left arm, with elbow flexed at a 90-degree angle, in one hand. The nurse palpates and then strikes the appropriate tendon just above the elbow with either end of the reflex hammer. What is the expected response for this deep tendon reflex?

a. Flexion of the left elbow
b. Pronation of the left forearm
c. Supination of the left arm
d. Extension of the left elbow

Answer 1

The expected response for the deep tendon reflex described is flexion of the left elbow.

Step-by-step explanation:

The expected response for this deep tendon reflex is a. Flexion of the left elbow. When the appropriate tendon just above the elbow is struck with the reflex hammer, it activates the muscle spindle which sends a signal to the spinal cord. This signal then activates the ventral horn motor neuron that causes the muscle to contract, resulting in the flexion of the left elbow.