Abdominal symptom Positive Murphy sign Murphy's sign Murphy's sign is elicited in patients with acute cholecystitis by asking the patient to take in and hold a deep breath while palpating the subcostal region. In practice, Murphy's sign is performed by palpating the subcostal region during inspiration. If pain is elicited and the patient suddenly stops their inspiratory effort, a positive Murphy's sign has been elicited. Murphy's sign positive Sweeney's sign