APPENDICITIS EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
A client complains of severe pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. To assist
with pain relief, the nurse should take which of the following actions?
1. Encourage the client to change positions frequently in bed
2. Massage the right lower quadrant fo the abdomen
3. Apply warmth to the abdomen with a heating pad
4. Use comfort measures and pillows to position the client - Answer-Correct answer: 4
Rationale:
1. Unnecessary movement will increase pain and should be avoided
2. If appendicitis is suspected, massage or palpation should never be performed as
these actions may cause the appendix to rupture
3. If pain is caused by appendicitis, increased circulation from the heat may cause
appendix to rupture
4. CORRECT: These are non-pharmacological methods of pain relief
Which of the following would confirm a diagnosis of appendicitis?
A. The pain is localized at a position halfway between the umbilicus and the right iliac
crest.
B. The patient describes the pain as occurring 2 hours after eating
C. The pain subsides after eating
D. The pain is in the left lower quadrant - Answer-Correct A
Rationale:
Pain over McBurney's point, the point halfway between the umbilicus and the iliac crest,
is diagnostic for appendicitis.
Which client requires immediate nursing intervention? The client who:
a) complains of epigastric pain after eating.
b) complains of anorexia and periumbilical pain.
c) presents with ribbonlike stools.
d) presents with a rigid, boardlike abdomen. - Answer-Correct answer: D
Rationale:
A rigid, board-like abdomen is a sign of peritonitis, a possibly life-threatening condition.
Epigastric pain occurring 90 minutes to 3 hours after eating indicates a duodenal ulcer.
Anorexia and periumbilical pain are characteristic of appendicitis. Risk of rupture is
minimal within the first 24 hours, but increases significantly after 48 hours. A client with
a large-bowel obstruction may have ribbonlike stools.
, A client has surgery for a perforated appendix with localized peritonis. In which position
should the nurse place the client?
A) Sims position
B) Trendelenburg
C) Semi-fowlers
D) Dorsal recumbant - Answer-C. Semi-fowlers aids in drainage and prevents spread of
infection throughout the abodominal cavity.
A client with complaints of right lower quadrant pain is admitted to the emergency
department. Blood specimens are drawn and sent to the laboratory. Which laboratory
finding should be reported to the physician immediately?
a) Hematocrit 42%
b) Serum potassium 4.2 mEq/L
c) Serum sodium 135 mEq/L
d) White blood cell (WBC) count 22.8/mm3. - Answer-Correct answer: D
Rationale:
The nurse should report the elevated WBC count. This finding, which is a sign of
infection, indicates that the client's appendix might have ruptured. Hematocrit of 42%,
serum potassium of 4.2 mEq/L, and serum sodium of 135 mEq/L are within normal
limits. Alterations in these levels don't indicate appendicitis."
Bobby, a 13 year old is being seen in the emergency room for possible appendicitis. An
important nursing action to perform when preparing Bobby for an appendectomy is to:
a) administer saline enemas to cleanse the bowels
b) apply heat to reduce pain
c) measure abdominal girth
d) continuously monitor pain - Answer-Correct answer: D
Rationale: Pain is closely monitored in appendicitis. In most cases, pain medication is
not given until prior to surgery or until the diagnosis is confirmed to be able to closely
monitor the progression of the disease. A sudden change in the character of pain may
indicate rupture or bowel perforation. Administering an enema or applying heat may
cause perforation and abdominal girth may not change with appendicitis.
Which condition may occur if the client does not seek medication attention for acute
appendicitis within 24 - 36 hours? (Select all that apply.)
A. Seizure
B. Constipation
C. Nausea
D. Peritonitis
CORRECT ANSWERS
A client complains of severe pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. To assist
with pain relief, the nurse should take which of the following actions?
1. Encourage the client to change positions frequently in bed
2. Massage the right lower quadrant fo the abdomen
3. Apply warmth to the abdomen with a heating pad
4. Use comfort measures and pillows to position the client - Answer-Correct answer: 4
Rationale:
1. Unnecessary movement will increase pain and should be avoided
2. If appendicitis is suspected, massage or palpation should never be performed as
these actions may cause the appendix to rupture
3. If pain is caused by appendicitis, increased circulation from the heat may cause
appendix to rupture
4. CORRECT: These are non-pharmacological methods of pain relief
Which of the following would confirm a diagnosis of appendicitis?
A. The pain is localized at a position halfway between the umbilicus and the right iliac
crest.
B. The patient describes the pain as occurring 2 hours after eating
C. The pain subsides after eating
D. The pain is in the left lower quadrant - Answer-Correct A
Rationale:
Pain over McBurney's point, the point halfway between the umbilicus and the iliac crest,
is diagnostic for appendicitis.
Which client requires immediate nursing intervention? The client who:
a) complains of epigastric pain after eating.
b) complains of anorexia and periumbilical pain.
c) presents with ribbonlike stools.
d) presents with a rigid, boardlike abdomen. - Answer-Correct answer: D
Rationale:
A rigid, board-like abdomen is a sign of peritonitis, a possibly life-threatening condition.
Epigastric pain occurring 90 minutes to 3 hours after eating indicates a duodenal ulcer.
Anorexia and periumbilical pain are characteristic of appendicitis. Risk of rupture is
minimal within the first 24 hours, but increases significantly after 48 hours. A client with
a large-bowel obstruction may have ribbonlike stools.
, A client has surgery for a perforated appendix with localized peritonis. In which position
should the nurse place the client?
A) Sims position
B) Trendelenburg
C) Semi-fowlers
D) Dorsal recumbant - Answer-C. Semi-fowlers aids in drainage and prevents spread of
infection throughout the abodominal cavity.
A client with complaints of right lower quadrant pain is admitted to the emergency
department. Blood specimens are drawn and sent to the laboratory. Which laboratory
finding should be reported to the physician immediately?
a) Hematocrit 42%
b) Serum potassium 4.2 mEq/L
c) Serum sodium 135 mEq/L
d) White blood cell (WBC) count 22.8/mm3. - Answer-Correct answer: D
Rationale:
The nurse should report the elevated WBC count. This finding, which is a sign of
infection, indicates that the client's appendix might have ruptured. Hematocrit of 42%,
serum potassium of 4.2 mEq/L, and serum sodium of 135 mEq/L are within normal
limits. Alterations in these levels don't indicate appendicitis."
Bobby, a 13 year old is being seen in the emergency room for possible appendicitis. An
important nursing action to perform when preparing Bobby for an appendectomy is to:
a) administer saline enemas to cleanse the bowels
b) apply heat to reduce pain
c) measure abdominal girth
d) continuously monitor pain - Answer-Correct answer: D
Rationale: Pain is closely monitored in appendicitis. In most cases, pain medication is
not given until prior to surgery or until the diagnosis is confirmed to be able to closely
monitor the progression of the disease. A sudden change in the character of pain may
indicate rupture or bowel perforation. Administering an enema or applying heat may
cause perforation and abdominal girth may not change with appendicitis.
Which condition may occur if the client does not seek medication attention for acute
appendicitis within 24 - 36 hours? (Select all that apply.)
A. Seizure
B. Constipation
C. Nausea
D. Peritonitis
