How is the biceps reflex assessed in a client?

The biceps reflex is assessed by having the elbow flexed at approximately a 45° angle. This positioning allows for optimal muscle tension in the biceps brachii muscle, facilitating a more pronounced reflex contraction when tapped. In this position, the clinician can easily strike the biceps tendon, usually located at the antecubital fossa, with a reflex hammer. The reflex response is observed as a contraction of the biceps muscle, which causes the forearm to flex. This ensures that the neurological pathways involved in the reflex arc are activated appropriately, providing valuable clinical information about the functioning of the associated spinal nerves, specifically C5 and C6.

In contrast, if the elbow is fully extended, the reflex response may not be as readily observable, as the muscle is not in an optimal position for contraction. Lifting the client’s arm above the head or having the client lean forward would detract from being able to effectively elicit and observe the biceps reflex due to poor leverage or altered anatomical positioning relative to the muscle involved in the reflex being tested.