Question

53.The nurse suspects appendicitis in a patient complaining of abdominal pain. Which assessment finding should cause the nurse to notify the physician?

a. The patient burps after drinking a glass of water.
b. Tympanic, hollow sounds are heard on percussion.
c. Bowel sounds are hyperactive in the upper quadrants.
d. Palpation of the abdomen is positive for rebound tenderness.

Answer 1

A positive finding for rebound tenderness upon abdominal palpation is an indicator of appendicitis and warrants immediate notification to the physician; it is a more specific symptom compared to burping, tympanic sounds, or hyperactive bowel sounds.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should notify the physician if the palpation of the abdomen is positive for rebound tenderness. This finding is a common indicator of appendicitis, which is an inflammation of the appendix often requiring surgical intervention to prevent serious complications such as a ruptured appendix. The other symptoms listed, such as burping, tympanic sounds, and hyperactive bowel sounds, are not specific for appendicitis and could be related to a variety of different conditions or normal body functions.

A thorough assessment is critical for a differential diagnosis. Appendicitis typically presents with severe abdominal pain that might start near the navel and then shift to the lower right quadrant of the abdomen. This diagnosis is particularly time-sensitive because if the inflammation and infection progresses, the appendix can burst, potentially leading to peritonitis, a widespread and dangerous infection of the abdominal cavity.