A 10-year-old boy is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of appendicitis. He is nauseated, febrile, and complaining of severe abdominal pain radiating to the right lower quadrant
During a routine nursing check, he states that his "stomach" doesn't hurt anymore. The nurse should suspect that: a. he is anxious about surgery.
b. his appendix has ruptured.
c. he does not communicate effectively about pain.
d. his nausea and vomiting have decreased, thereby relieving his abdominal pain.
B
A classic symptom indicating appendix rupture is the sudden relief of pain. The boy may be anxious, but this will not cause his pain to disappear. There is no evidence to substantiate the assumption that he does not communicate effectively about pain. His nausea and vomiting have not decreased, nor will this affect his abdominal pain.
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