Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What condition is Grey-Turner's sign most indicative of?

1. Acute appendicitis

2. Acute pancreatitis

3. Acute diverticulitis

4. Gastric cancer

The correct answer is: Acute pancreatitis

Grey-Turner's sign is characterized by bruising in the flank region and is most indicative of acute pancreatitis. This sign results from retroperitoneal hemorrhage, which can occur in severe cases of pancreatitis. The breakdown of pancreatic tissues and the inflammatory process can lead to the leakage of blood into the surrounding tissues, resulting in the characteristic discoloration observed. While the other conditions listed may involve abdominal pain, they do not typically present with Grey-Turner’s sign. For instance, acute appendicitis usually presents with right lower quadrant pain and may lead to peritonitis; acute diverticulitis typically causes localized pain in the lower left abdomen, often accompanied by fever; and gastric cancer generally manifests with symptoms related to obstruction or other systemic issues rather than specific signs of retroperitoneal hemorrhage. Therefore, the presence of Grey-Turner's sign serves as a clinical cue that acute pancreatitis is likely present in a patient exhibiting these symptoms.