What is Kehr’s sign, and what does it indicate?

Get ready for the NREMT Trauma Exam with our flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations to boost your exam confidence!

Multiple Choice

What is Kehr’s sign, and what does it indicate?

Kehr’s sign is left shoulder pain caused by irritation of the diaphragmatic peritoneum from blood in the peritoneal cavity. The diaphragmatic irritation stimulates the phrenic nerve, which has roots in C3–C5, producing referred pain to the shoulder. In trauma, this most often points to splenic injury with hemoperitoneum, signaling internal bleeding that requires urgent evaluation and management. While diaphragmatic irritation can occur from other abdominal sources, the left shoulder presentation after trauma is classically associated with splenic bleeding.

Kehr’s sign is left shoulder pain caused by irritation of the diaphragmatic peritoneum from blood in the peritoneal cavity. The diaphragmatic irritation stimulates the phrenic nerve, which has roots in C3–C5, producing referred pain to the shoulder. In trauma, this most often points to splenic injury with hemoperitoneum, signaling internal bleeding that requires urgent evaluation and management. While diaphragmatic irritation can occur from other abdominal sources, the left shoulder presentation after trauma is classically associated with splenic bleeding.

More practice questions