What does Murphy's Sign indicate when pain is felt in the right upper quadrant?

What does Murphy's Sign indicate when pain is felt in the right upper quadrant?

• A. Appendicitis
• B. Gallbladder infection
• C. Diverticulitis
• D. Pneumonia

Answer: (B)

Murphy's Sign is a clinical indicator used specifically to assess gallbladder inflammation, typically seen in conditions such as cholecystitis or a gallbladder infection. When a physician performs this test, they ask the patient to take a deep breath while applying pressure to the right upper quadrant. A positive Murphy's Sign occurs when the patient experiences pain and halts breath intake due to discomfort. This reaction suggests that the gallbladder is inflamed and possibly infected, as the area becomes more sensitive when the gallbladder is palpated. The other options presented relate to different conditions that cause abdominal pain but are not associated with Murphy's Sign. For instance, while appendicitis can cause pain in the lower right quadrant and might be suspected with abdominal pain, it doesn't elicit the specific response associated with gallbladder issues. Similarly, diverticulitis primarily affects the lower intestines and leads to pain usually felt in the lower left quadrant. Pneumonia, although it can lead to pain in the right upper area depending on the lung involvement, would not produce a positive Murphy's Sign since it does not relate to gallbladder function. Therefore, the response to Murphy's Sign being positive specifically points to a gallbladder infection or

Murphy's Sign is a clinical indicator used specifically to assess gallbladder inflammation, typically seen in conditions such as cholecystitis or a gallbladder infection. When a physician performs this test, they ask the patient to take a deep breath while applying pressure to the right upper quadrant. A positive Murphy's Sign occurs when the patient experiences pain and halts breath intake due to discomfort. This reaction suggests that the gallbladder is inflamed and possibly infected, as the area becomes more sensitive when the gallbladder is palpated.

The other options presented relate to different conditions that cause abdominal pain but are not associated with Murphy's Sign. For instance, while appendicitis can cause pain in the lower right quadrant and might be suspected with abdominal pain, it doesn't elicit the specific response associated with gallbladder issues. Similarly, diverticulitis primarily affects the lower intestines and leads to pain usually felt in the lower left quadrant. Pneumonia, although it can lead to pain in the right upper area depending on the lung involvement, would not produce a positive Murphy's Sign since it does not relate to gallbladder function. Therefore, the response to Murphy's Sign being positive specifically points to a gallbladder infection or