Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Rebound tenderness physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Rebound tenderness is a clinical sign that a doctor may detect in physical examination of a patient’s abdomen. It refers to pain upon removal of pressure rather than application of pressure to the abdomen. (The latter is referred to simply as abdominal tenderness.) To elicit the sign, gentle pressure is placed on the abdomen and then the hand is lifted suddenly. A sudden increase in abdominal pain occurs when the examiner’s hand is lifted. The other physical examination findings to distinguish rebound tenderness are abdominal tenderness and guarding.
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
- Blood on rectal exam
- Presence of mass
- Distention
- Cervical or adnexal tenderness
- Bowel sounds
- Shock
- Hypotension
- Guarding
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]