American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

What does Murphy's sign suggest about a patient?

1. Ruptured spleen

2. Gallbladder irritation

3. Cholecystitis

4. Pancreatitis

The correct answer is: Cholecystitis

Murphy's sign is a clinical test used to assess for gallbladder inflammation, specifically cholecystitis. When a healthcare provider applies pressure to the right upper quadrant of the abdomen while the patient inhales, the test is positive if the patient experiences pain and abruptly stops inhaling due to discomfort. This reaction indicates gallbladder irritation or inflammation, which is characteristic of cholecystitis. Thus, a positive Murphy's sign strongly suggests that the patient may be suffering from this condition, confirming the correct answer as cholecystitis. While other conditions can cause abdominal pain, they do not specifically correlate with Murphy's sign in the way that cholecystitis does. For instance, a ruptured spleen might cause pain in the upper left quadrant rather than the right, and pancreatitis usually presents with different types of abdominal pain and signs. Understanding this clinical sign allows healthcare professionals to narrow down their differential diagnoses effectively and guide further investigation and treatment.