Eliciting a fluid thrillto confirm presence of ascites

In the presence of large volumes of ascites, a fluid thrill may be present. Sharp tapping of the abdominal wall on one side causes a shock wave to pass through the ascitic fluid to be detected by a hand placed on the other side of the abdomen.

AFRIKAANS	TRANSCRIPT	XHOSA
	I am now going to tap gently on your tummy. / Ek sal nou liggies aan u buik moet slaan. / Ngoku ndiza kubetha nje kancinci esiswini.
	Okay? / Is dit reg so? / Kulungile?

Eliciting shifting dullness to confirm presence of ascites

Firstly, with the patient supine, percuss the abdomen from the resonant, upper surface towards the flanks. Note where the percussion note changes from resonant to dull and make a slight pen mark at this level.

\

AFRIKAANS	TRANSCRIPT	XHOSA
	I’m going to tap on your tummy again starting from your belly button. / Ek sal nou weer u liggies aan u buik moet slaan. Ek sal by u naeltjie begin. / Ndiza kuphinda ndibethe nje kancinci apha esiswini kwakhona ukuqalela apha embhonweni.
	If you don’t mind I might need to make a little pen mark. / As u nie omgee nie, sal ek ‘n merkie met my pen op u buik moet maak. / Ukuba awukhathazeki kuzakufuneka ndenze uphawana gepeni.
	I will remember to remove it. / Ek sal onthou om dit te verwyder. / Andizi kulibala ukulususa.