Ace the Ambulatory Care Nurse Exam 2026 – Blaze Your Trail in Healthcare!

Shifting dullness is an abnormal finding during an abdominal assessment that indicates the presence of fluid in the abdominal cavity, typically suggestive of conditions such as ascites. When the patient is assessed in different positions, the level of fluid shifts, resulting in dullness on percussion in different areas of the abdomen.

In contrast, recurring bowel sounds are considered a normal finding, indicating normal peristalsis and digestive activity. Muscle cramps can occur for a variety of reasons, including dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, and while they may be concerning, they are not directly related to the abdominal assessment itself. Dullness over the liver can be normal, as this reflects the presence of liver tissue and should be present during a typical examination.