endicitis have all the symptoms. The sudden pain may begin in the upper abdomen or around the navel area, followed by vomiting and nausea. The nausea may pass after a few hours and the pain may shift to the right lower part of the abdomen. If the patient is an infant or child, the pain may be more general than localized, and pregnant women and the elderly usually experience less pain. Pressure on the painful area feels tender and then increases sharply as the pressure is released (called rebound tenderness). It is also common for a fever of 101 degrees F to develop. If the appendix ruptures, the pain and fever may become worse and an escalation of the infection may lead to shock (Merck, Ch. 9).
Blood tests are considered to be more useful in early stages of appendicitis; moderate increases in the white blood cell count are a result of infection. Urine tests help rule out urinary tract infection. Ultrasound is used to check for appendix inflammation. Physical examination usually results in a patient diagno
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