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

What percussion note is typically found in a healthy abdomen?

1. Dullness

2. Tympany

3. Hyperresonance

4. Resonance

The correct answer is: Tympany

In a healthy abdomen, tympany is the percussion note that is typically found. This sound is characterized by a high-pitched, hollow tone that occurs when air is present in the gastrointestinal tract. When a healthcare provider performs percussion on the abdominal area, they expect to hear tympany due to the presence of air-filled organs, such as the stomach and intestines. This sound indicates a normal state of gas and digestive processes within the abdominal cavity. In contrast, other notes like dullness would suggest the presence of solid organs or fluid, while hyperresonance may indicate excessive air, such as in cases of pneumothorax. Resonance is more commonly associated with lung sounds rather than abdominal percussion. Therefore, tympany is the sign of a healthy abdomen and represents normal air-filled organ function.