Palpation of abdomen elicits maximum tenderness while patient tenses muscles, like while doing a sit-up, or a sit-up against resistance (you push back on the clavicle or shoulder) [called “Carnett’s Sign”].
- Contrast it to tenderness found while palpating the relaxed abdomen when supine
- Maybe a history of recent or new physical activity
- For pt with “Flank Pain,” tenderness with twisting/bending torso
- For patients with Lower Abdominal Pain near the groin, tenderness flexing hip against resistance while lying supine
See posting Abdominal Pain – 1.
DiagnosisDude 