Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital

1. Is there nausea or vomiting in acute appendicitis?

Many surgeons feel that vomiting is the cardinal symptom associated with appendicitis.

2. Is there fever in acute appendicitis?

Low-grade fever is common in appendicitis; higher fever can indicate an abscess or other infectious disease.

3. Does the pain move, or is there point tenderness associated in the right

lower quadrant (RLQ)?

Typically, there is poorly localized, cramplike mid-abdominal pain that migrates to the RLQ.

4. Other classic features?

Rectal tenderness, nausea, anorexia; patient prefers to lie still; rarely, secretory diarrhea (more common in infants <2 years of age); change in bowel habits, especially diarrhea; guarding (voluntary contraction of the abdominal muscle)

(Modified from 5-Minute Pediatric Consult book)