Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTR) Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What do Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTR) elicit?

Muscle relaxation

Muscle contraction (correct)

Pain response

Fatigue

DTR provides a motor response to a sensory _____ used for assessment.

stimulation

What is the first guideline for the DTR procedure?

Patient should be relaxed

How many sides of the body should be assessed during the DTR procedure?

Both sides Signup and view all the answers

How can reflexes be graded during a DTR assessment?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Match the DTR grading with its corresponding response:

0 = No response 1+ = Diminished/depressed response 2+ = Active normal response 3+ = Brisk/exaggerated response 4+ = Very brisk/hyperactive: abnormal response Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal response for the biceps tendon?

Contraction of biceps muscle Signup and view all the answers

What does the patellar tendon DTR assess?

Knee extension Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTR)

Elicit muscle contraction upon tendon stimulation, serving as a motor response to sensory input.
Assess the integrity of the nervous system through reflex actions.

DTR Procedure Guidelines

Ensure the patient is relaxed for accurate results.
Position the muscle in a slight stretch to facilitate reflex testing.
Utilize a reflex hammer to tap the tendon and expect an immediate response.
Assess reflexes on both sides of the body for comparison.
Reflexes are graded on a scale from 0 to 4: normal, exaggerated (hyper), or depressed (hypo).

DTR Grading Scale

0: No response observed.
1+: Diminished or depressed reflex response.
2+: Active, normal reflex response.
3+: Brisk or exaggerated reflex response.
4+: Very brisk or hyperactive reflex, indicating abnormal response.

Common DTR Sites - Normal Response: 1

Biceps tendon: Results in contraction of the biceps muscle.
Brachioradialis tendon: Produces elbow flexion and/or forearm pronation.
Triceps tendon: Leads to elbow extension or contraction of the triceps muscle.

Common DTR Sites - Normal Response: 2

Patellar tendon: Triggers knee extension.
Tibialis Posterior tendon: Causes plantar flexion and inversion of the foot.
Achilles tendon: Stimulates plantar flexion of the foot.

Description

Test your knowledge of Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTR) with these flashcards. Each card provides definitions and guidelines essential for understanding this important reflex test in assessing the nervous system's integrity.