Question

The nurse is assessing the deep tendon reflexes of the client with hypomagnesemia. Which method is used to elicit the biceps reflex? A. The nurse places her thumb on the muscle inset in the antecubital space and taps the thumb briskly with the reflex hammer. B. The nurse loosely suspends the client's arm in an open hand while tapping the back of the client's elbow. C. The nurse instructs the client to dangle her legs as the nurse strikes the area below the patella with the blunt side of the reflex hammer. D. The nurse instructs the client to place her arms loosely at her side as the nurse strikes the muscle insert just above the wrist.

Short answer

Answer: The appropriate method is to place the nurse's thumb on the muscle inset in the antecubital space and tap the thumb briskly with the reflex hammer.

Step-by-step solution

Understand hypomagnesemia and the biceps reflex

Hypomagnesemia is a condition defined by low levels of magnesium in the blood. It can affect muscle and nerve function, including reflexes. The biceps reflex is a deep tendon reflex that tests the function of the biceps muscle and the nerves that innervate it.

Check each option

Let's analyze each given method to determine how they correlate to the biceps reflex exam. A. The nurse places her thumb on the muscle inset in the antecubital space and taps the thumb briskly with the reflex hammer. B. The nurse loosely suspends the client's arm in an open hand while tapping the back of the client's elbow. C. The nurse instructs the client to dangle her legs as the nurse strikes the area below the patella with the blunt side of the reflex hammer. D. The nurse instructs the client to place her arms loosely at her side as the nurse strikes the muscle insert just above the wrist.

Choose the correct method

The correct method to elicit the biceps reflex is found in option A. In this method, the nurse places her thumb on the muscle inset in the antecubital space and taps the thumb briskly with the reflex hammer. This action will evaluate the function of the biceps muscle and associated nerves. The other options are incorrect because: B. This method describes a technique for testing the triceps reflex, not the biceps reflex. C. This method is used to assess the patellar reflex, which is unrelated to the biceps reflex. D. Striking the muscle insert just above the wrist is a test for the brachioradialis reflex, not the biceps reflex. So, the correct answer is option A: The nurse places her thumb on the muscle inset in the antecubital space and taps the thumb briskly with the reflex hammer.