Which finding might you expect to see during an examination of a patient with potential appendicitis?

• A. Positive psoas sign
• B. Right upper quadrant tenderness
• C. McBurney's point tenderness
• D. Brace sign

Answer: (C)

In cases of potential appendicitis, one of the classic findings is tenderness at McBurney's point, which is located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, approximately one-third the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus. This specific point is significant in appendicitis diagnosis because it correlates with the typical location of an inflamed appendix. When a patient has appendicitis, palpation of this area often elicits pain due to irritation of the peritoneum around the inflamed appendix.

The other options represent different clinical findings, but they do not specifically indicate appendicitis as clearly as McBurney's point tenderness. For instance, a positive psoas sign might suggest irritation of the iliopsoas muscle, which can occur in appendicitis but is not exclusively indicative of it. Right upper quadrant tenderness usually pertains to gallbladder pathology or liver issues, while the brace sign relates to blood in the abdominal cavity, which is a different concern entirely. Therefore, the identification and presence of tenderness at McBurney's point are paramount in the assessment of suspected appendicitis.