What it means
A quick, involuntary reaction carried out by a nerve pathway through the spinal cordSPY-nul KORDThe long bundle of nerves that runs down through the backbone and carries messages between the brain and the body.Full entry or brainstem. Deep tendon reflexes, such as the knee jerk when the patellar tendon is tapped, are graded from 0 (none) to 4+ (very brisk), with 2+ normal. Newborns have their own reflexes, such as sucking, rooting and the startle (Moro) reflex, which fade on a set schedule.
For the nurse
Check deep tendon reflexes in a client receiving IV magnesium sulfate, since loss of reflexes is an early sign of too much magnesium. Report reflexes that are newly absent, very brisk, or different on the two sides.
In a chart
"Patellar reflexes 2+ and equal bilaterally."
At a glance
| Spanish | reflejo |
|---|---|
| Also written | reflexes |
Related terms
spinal cord
The long bundle of nerves that runs down through the backbone and carries messages between the brain and the body.
magnesium
A mineral in the blood that the nerves, muscles and heart need, measured with a blood test.
nervous system
The brain, spinal cord and nerves, which together carry messages that control the body.
developmental milestone
A skill that most children can do by a certain age, such as smiling, sitting, walking or saying words.