Deep Tendon Reflexes: The What, Why, Where, and How of Tapping

✍ Scribed by Jan M. Nick

• Book ID: 119892741
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2003
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 266 KB
• Volume: 32
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0884-2175
• DOI: 10.1177/0884217503253491

✦ Synopsis

Deep tendon reflexes demonstrate the homeostasis between the cerebral cortex and the spinal cord. When these reflexes are disrupted, hyperreflexia (disease induced) or hyporeflexia/areflexia (drug induced) occurs. Although nurses perform deep tendon reflex assessments regularly, it is difficult to incorporate theoretical principles in these assessments because of scant medical literature, a lack of nursing research, and time constraints in nursing programs. These conditions usually result in one-on-one training, causing reduced consistency. A comprehensive examination assists the clinician to apply theoretical principles, develop expert technique, and serve as a catalyst for clinical research.