Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX USA) Practice

What would a DTR grade of 1 suggest about the reflex activity?

1. Exaggerated reflex response

2. Normal reflex response

3. Hypoactive reflex response

4. Absent reflex response

The correct answer is: Hypoactive reflex response

A DTR (Deep Tendon Reflex) grade of 1 indicates a hypoactive reflex response. In clinical practice, reflexes are graded on a scale from 0 to 4. A grade of 0 typically means no response (absent reflex), while a grade of 2 is considered normal. When a reflex is graded as 1, it suggests a diminished response compared to what would be expected in a healthy individual. This hypoactivity may occur for various reasons, including neuromuscular disorders, peripheral nerve issues, or certain physiological conditions. The diminished response may reflect reduced excitability in the neural pathways involved in the reflex arc, which comprises the sensory neuron, synapses in the spinal cord, and the motor neuron that stimulates the muscle. Understanding these grading scales is crucial for assessing neurological function, as it helps in diagnosing underlying conditions and tailoring appropriate interventions based on the reflex responses.