HESI (Health and Environmental Sciences Institute) Health Assessment Practice Test

What sound is expected when percussing the liver at the midclavicular line?

1. Dullness

2. Tympany

3. Resonance

4. Hyperresonance

The correct answer is: Dullness

When percussing the liver at the midclavicular line, a dull sound is expected. This dullness occurs because the liver is a solid organ, and when percussing, the sound produced by tapping over dense tissue, such as the liver, is different from the sounds produced over areas that contain air, like the intestines or the lungs. In healthy individuals, the liver's dense structure absorbs the percussion waves, resulting in dullness that indicates the presence of tissue rather than air or fluid. This finding is consistent with the anatomical location and composition of the liver, which is predominantly comprised of solid tissues. Other sounds such as tympany, resonance, or hyperresonance would indicate the presence of air-filled spaces or fluid. Tympany, for instance, is typically heard over areas containing gas such as the stomach or intestines, while resonance is more commonly associated with normal lung sounds. Hyperresonance may suggest conditions such as pneumothorax where excess air is present in the pleural space. Therefore, the expected sound when percussing the liver at the midclavicular line is dullness, confirming the solid nature of this organ.