What it means
A finding on abdominal exam, named after John B. Murphy, an American surgeon. The examiner presses gently below the right rib margin and asks the person to take a deep breath. As the diaphragm pushes the gallbladder down onto the examiner's fingers, the person stops breathing in because of sharp pain. It points to inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis).
For the nurse
Report a positive sign with the client's pain, temperature and any nausea or vomiting.
At a glance
| Also written | Murphy's sign, Murphys sign |
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Related terms
inflammation
The body's protective response to injury or infection, with redness, heat, swelling, pain and sometimes loss of function.
palpation
Examining the body by touching and pressing with the hands and fingers.