During the examination of a patient suspected of having appendicitis, which finding would be most indicative of inflammation?

Understand the Problem

The question is asking which clinical finding during a physical examination would strongly suggest inflammation in a patient suspected of having appendicitis. It presents several options that describe various physical signs.

More Information

Rebound tenderness, particularly at the right lower quadrant, is a key physical examination finding that is highly suggestive of appendicitis. It occurs when pain intensifies upon the release of pressure, indicating peritoneal irritation.

Tips

A common mistake is to rely only on blood tests like white blood cell count or C-reactive protein levels. While these can indicate inflammation, they are not as specific as the physical finding of rebound tenderness.

Sources

• Appendicitis Clinical Presentation - Medscape Reference - emedicine.medscape.com
• Appendicitis - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic - mayoclinic.org