Which instruments are described for eliciting the abdominal reflex?

• A. Tongue blade, key, or handle of reflex hammer
• B. Cotton-tipped applicator
• C. Stethoscope
• D. Tuning fork

Answer: (A)

Eliciting the abdominal reflex relies on producing a firm, blunt stroke across the skin of the abdomen toward the umbilicus. This specific stimulus reliably triggers a quick, ipsilateral contraction of the abdominal muscles if the reflex pathways are intact. A tongue blade (tongue depressor), a key, or the handle of a reflex hammer provide the right kind of blunt, controlled contact to provoke that response without causing harm. A cotton-tipped applicator is often too soft to generate a reliable reflex, and a stethoscope or tuning fork isn’t used to elicit the abdominal reflex at all. So the described instruments—tongue blade, key, or handle of a reflex hammer—are the appropriate tools for this test.