What diagnosis is likely for Wallace Price given his right lower quadrant tenderness?

Prepare for the Swift River Virtual Clinicals 2.0 – Emergency Department (ED) Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations to ensure readiness and success!

Multiple Choice

What diagnosis is likely for Wallace Price given his right lower quadrant tenderness?

Explanation:
Right lower quadrant tenderness is a classic clinical sign often associated with appendicitis, leading to this diagnosis being considered the most likely in Wallace Price's case. The appendix is located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, and its inflammation typically manifests through pain in this area. Patients presenting with appendicitis usually also report symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and a loss of appetite, which can further support this diagnosis. The examination of tenderness specifically in the right lower quadrant provides strong clinical evidence that aligns with this condition. While gastritis can cause abdominal discomfort, it is more commonly associated with upper abdominal symptoms rather than localized tenderness that’s specific to the right lower quadrant. Diverticulitis, while it can cause localized pain, typically occurs in the left lower quadrant, making it less likely in this scenario. Pancreatitis generally presents with pain in the upper abdomen and may radiate to the back but is not associated with right lower quadrant tenderness. Thus, considering the specific symptom of right lower quadrant tenderness, appendicitis is the most plausible diagnosis for Wallace Price.

Right lower quadrant tenderness is a classic clinical sign often associated with appendicitis, leading to this diagnosis being considered the most likely in Wallace Price's case. The appendix is located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, and its inflammation typically manifests through pain in this area.

Patients presenting with appendicitis usually also report symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and a loss of appetite, which can further support this diagnosis. The examination of tenderness specifically in the right lower quadrant provides strong clinical evidence that aligns with this condition.

While gastritis can cause abdominal discomfort, it is more commonly associated with upper abdominal symptoms rather than localized tenderness that’s specific to the right lower quadrant. Diverticulitis, while it can cause localized pain, typically occurs in the left lower quadrant, making it less likely in this scenario. Pancreatitis generally presents with pain in the upper abdomen and may radiate to the back but is not associated with right lower quadrant tenderness.

Thus, considering the specific symptom of right lower quadrant tenderness, appendicitis is the most plausible diagnosis for Wallace Price.

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