Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Cullen's sign is most commonly associated with which condition?

1. Acute pancreatitis

2. Myocardial infarction

3. Acute pyelonephritis

4. Preeclampsia

The correct answer is: Acute pancreatitis

Cullen's sign refers to a discoloration of the skin around the umbilicus, which appears as a bluish or purplish hue. This sign is an indication of underlying hemorrhage in the abdominal cavity, particularly in cases where there is retroperitoneal bleeding. Acute pancreatitis is the condition most commonly associated with Cullen's sign due to the presence of hemorrhagic pancreatitis, which can lead to bleeding in the surrounding tissues, including those near the abdominal wall. When pancreatic enzymes leak into the surrounding tissues, they can cause vascular damage and subsequent bleeding, resulting in Cullen's sign. In contrast, while myocardial infarction, acute pyelonephritis, and preeclampsia can all have significant clinical manifestations, they do not typically present with Cullen's sign. Myocardial infarction primarily affects the heart and may lead to different symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath. Acute pyelonephritis involves kidney infection and may present with flank pain and fever but not with abdominal bruising. Preeclampsia, characterized by high blood pressure and potential organ dysfunction during pregnancy, can lead to other signs and complications but is not directly associated with Cullen's sign. Understanding the correlation between