A 19-year-old has periumbilical pain that moves to the right lower quadrant, with anorexia and a low fever. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Acute appendicitis
- Step 1: Pain that migrates from the umbilicus to the right lower quadrant with anorexia is the classic sequence of appendicitis. Step 2. Peritoneal irritation causes the move, and the next decision involves surgical review, often with ultrasound or CT. Answer: acute appendicitis. Why not the others: adenitis and colic are diagnoses of exclusion in this pattern, and bowel syndrome does not cause fever and focal tenderness.
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