Which of the following is NOT considered a peritoneal sign?

Prepare for the ScribeAmerica Emergency Room Exam. Enhance your skills with flashcards, multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations. Get ready for your certification!

Hyperreflexia is considered a neurological sign rather than a peritoneal sign. In a clinical context, peritoneal signs are used to assess for irritation or inflammation of the peritoneum, which is the lining of the abdominal cavity. Signs such as voluntary guarding, rebound tenderness, and rigidity all indicate some form of abdominal irritation or underlying pathology, particularly in cases of acute abdominal conditions.

Voluntary guarding involves the conscious contraction of abdominal muscles in response to pain. Rebound tenderness refers to the pain experienced when pressure on the abdomen is released, suggesting irritation of the peritoneum. Rigidity indicates a state of increased tension in the abdominal muscles, which is often a result of pain or irritation. In contrast, hyperreflexia, which refers to an exaggerated response in deep tendon reflexes, generally relates to issues within the central nervous system, making it not a sign of peritoneal irritation.

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