Appendicitis: The Daily PANCE Blueprint
Which of the following is not a test for acute appendicitis?
A. Murphy sign
B. Rovsing sign
C. Obturator sign
D. Psoas sign
E. McBurney sign
Answer and topic summary
The answer is A. Murphy sign
Appendicitis is one of the most common indications for emergent abdominal surgery. The most common physical exam finding is RLQ tenderness. There are some tests that may help with the diagnosis — keep in mind though that these tests/signs are NOT sensitive.
– Rovsing sign: pain in the RLQ with palpation of the LLQ (indicative of peritoneal irritation)
– McBurney sign: tenderness about 2 inches from the ASIS (on a straight line from ASIS to the umbilicus)
– Psoas sign: RLQ pain with passive right hip extension
– Obturator sign: flexion of the right hip and knee, followed by internal rotation of right hip elicits RLQ pain
Murphy’s sign is positive in acute cholecystitis, not appendicitis. A positive test is RUQ pain on inspiration.
View blueprint lesson
Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:
Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint GI and Nutrition ⇒ ⇒
Also covered as part of the Emergency Medicine EOR, Family Medicine EOR, Pediatric EOR, and General Surgery EOR topic list
