Question

A nurse in an emergency department is caring for an adolescent who has severe abdominal pain due to appendicitis. Which of the following locations should the nurse identify as McBurney's point?

A. The lower right side of the abdomen
B. The upper left side of the abdomen
C. The lower left side of the abdomen
D. The upper right side of the abdomen

Answer 1

McBurney's point is located on the lower right side of the abdomen and is an important landmark for diagnosing appendicitis in patients.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should identify McBurney's point as the location of abdominal pain that is typically associated with appendicitis. McBurney's point is located on the lower right side of the abdomen. This is approximately one-third of the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus. When appendicitis is suspected, healthcare providers are especially attentive to pain at McBurney's point because it is an indicator of the inflammation of the appendix, which may require surgical intervention to prevent rupture and potential peritonitis, a serious abdominal infection.