FAU Advanced Health Assessment 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Cullen's sign is characterized by periumbilical ecchymosis or discoloration that occurs due to the accumulation of blood in the peritoneal cavity, which can be a result of conditions such as retroperitoneal hemorrhage or ruptured ectopic pregnancy. The sign manifests as a bluish discoloration around the navel and indicates underlying bleeding. This clinical finding highlights the presence of intraperitoneal bleeding and is an important diagnostic clue in acute abdominal conditions.

In contrast, the other options do not relate directly to the presence of blood in the peritoneal cavity. The obturator sign is used to detect irritation of the obturator internus muscle often associated with appendicitis or pelvic inflammatory disease. Phalen's test is a maneuver used to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, and the Galeazzi sign assesses leg length discrepancy in hip dislocation scenarios. Therefore, Cullen's sign is the most relevant to the context of detecting blood in the peritoneal cavity.