Final answer:
Abdominal pain may or may not be tender on examination, depending on the cause of the pain.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient says their abdomen is very painful, it does not necessarily mean that it will be tender on examination. Abdominal pain can have various causes, and tenderness on exam depends on the specific condition causing the pain. For example, if the pain is caused by inflammation of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the abdomen is typically tender to touch. However, if the pain is due to a problem with the internal organs, such as the liver or intestines, the abdomen may not be tender on exam.