Appendicitis physical examination

Appendicitis Microchapters
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Farwa Haideri [2]

Overview

Patients with acute appendicitis usually appear in pain and distress. Physical examination of patients with appendicitis is usually remarkable for fever and mild tachycardia. Even minimal pressure on the abdomen can elicit a marked pain to patient.

Physical Examination

Vitals

• Fever
• Tachycardia
• Hypotension
• Tachypnea

Skin

• Diaphoresis
• Pallor

Abdomen

• The abdominal wall is very sensitive to mild palpation.
• Rebound tenderness
• Abdominal guarding
• Rovsing's sign
• Psoas sign
• Obturator sign
• A digital rectal examination elicits tenderness in the rectovesical pouch in special cases of appendicitis.