What is another physical examination technique that can be employed to evaluate for ascites besides testing for shifting dullness?

Testing for fluid wave is a technique specifically utilized to assess the presence of ascites. This examination involves the examiner placing one hand on one side of the abdomen and tapping on the opposite side. If ascites is present, the wave of fluid will transmit across the abdomen, indicating fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity. This method is effective in detecting significant amounts of fluid and is a complementary test to shifting dullness.

The other techniques mentioned serve different purposes. Checking for rebound tenderness is used primarily to assess for peritoneal irritation, such as in cases of appendicitis or other abdominal pathologies. Measuring abdominal circumference can provide an indication of overall abdominal size and changes over time but does not specifically evaluate for fluid presence. Inspecting for abdominal distention can give a visual clue to possible ascites but does not provide a definitive assessment as fluid wave testing does. Thus, among the options, testing for fluid wave is the most appropriate technique to specifically evaluate for ascites alongside shifting dullness.