Which statement about rebound tenderness is correct?

Which statement about rebound tenderness is correct?

• A. It is often discovered when the patient is jarred or moved suddenly.
• B. Rebound tenderness is a specific sign found with a spleen injury.
• C. The absence of rebound tenderness rules out intra-abdominal injury.
• D. It should be assessed for by vigorously palpating the abdomen.

Answer: (A)

Rebound tenderness is a clinical sign that helps assess for peritoneal irritation, which can be indicative of conditions such as appendicitis or other intra-abdominal pathologies. When a clinician applies pressure to the abdomen and then rapidly releases it, if the patient experiences pain upon release, this is referred to as rebound tenderness. This reaction often occurs when there is inflammation or irritation of the peritoneum. The statement that rebound tenderness is often discovered when the patient is jarred or moved suddenly aligns with the mechanism of detecting this sign. Movement can increase abdominal pressure or jolt the body, which may exacerbate the pain associated with peritoneal irritation, leading to the manifestation of rebound tenderness. Other options do not accurately reflect the nature of rebound tenderness or its implications in clinical practice. Therefore, understanding rebound tenderness as a sign of peritoneal irritation and its correlation to patient movements helps in assessing potential underlying injuries effectively.

Rebound tenderness is a clinical sign that helps assess for peritoneal irritation, which can be indicative of conditions such as appendicitis or other intra-abdominal pathologies. When a clinician applies pressure to the abdomen and then rapidly releases it, if the patient experiences pain upon release, this is referred to as rebound tenderness. This reaction often occurs when there is inflammation or irritation of the peritoneum.

The statement that rebound tenderness is often discovered when the patient is jarred or moved suddenly aligns with the mechanism of detecting this sign. Movement can increase abdominal pressure or jolt the body, which may exacerbate the pain associated with peritoneal irritation, leading to the manifestation of rebound tenderness.

Other options do not accurately reflect the nature of rebound tenderness or its implications in clinical practice. Therefore, understanding rebound tenderness as a sign of peritoneal irritation and its correlation to patient movements helps in assessing potential underlying injuries effectively.