Questions And Answers
What are the usual pain characteristics of appendicitis?
correct answer: initially periumbilical or epigastric; colicky;
later becomes localized to RLQ often at McBurney's point.
What are possible S&S of appendicitis? correct answer:
guarding, tenderness, + ilopsoas and + obturator signs, RLQ
skin hyperesthesia, + Aaron, Rovsing, Markle, and McBurney
signs. N/V/Fever
What is the iliopsoas test? correct answer: an inflamed appendix
may cause irritation of the lateral iliopsoas muscle.
How do you perform the iliopsoas muscle test? correct answer:
pt supine, place your hand over the lower right thigh, pt raises
right leg flexing at the hip while you push downward. Pain is
considered a + psoas sign.
What is the obturator muscle test? correct answer: it is
performed when appendicitis or a pelvic abscess is suspected.
The obturator muscle may be irritated.
How do you perform the obturator muscle test? correct answer:
pt supine, flex right leg at the hip and knee 90 degrees, then you
hold the leg right above the knee, grasp the ankle, and rotate the
, leg laterally and medially. If there is pain in the right
hypogastric region the the sign is positive.
What is the Aaron sign? correct answer: pain or distress in area
of heart or stomach when McBurney's point is palpated.
What does a positive Aaron's sign potentially mean? correct
answer: appendicitis.
What is the Ballance sign? correct answer: fixed dullness to
percussion in left flank and dullness in right flank that
disappears on change of position.
What does a positive Ballance sign indicate? correct answer:
peritoneal irritation.
What is a Blumberg sign? correct answer: rebound tenderness.
What does a positive Blumberg sign indicate? correct answer:
peritoneal irritation or appendicitis.
What is the Cullen sign? correct answer: ecchymosis around
umbilicus.
What does a positive Cullen sign indicate? correct answer:
hemoperitoneum, pancreatitis, ectopic pregnancy.
What is the Dance sign? correct answer: absence of bowel
sounds in right lower quadrant.