Cough test

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Medical test used to elicit if a patient is suffering from peritonitis.

• Patient is asked to lie flat (in position for undertaking abdominal examination) and to give a deep cough.
• If this produces pain/tenderness/obvious discomfort, peritonitis can be considered as a differential diagnosis.
• Obviously this is not a particularly specific or sensitive test, but may be highly suggestive when combined with other physical signs of peritonitis such as abscent bowel sounds.

It is important to look at the patients face when carrying out this test, as they may later deny that they experienced pain.