Pain at McBurney's point is the characteristic of which disease?

Appeared in: UPPSC 2023

Explanation

Pain at McBurney's point is a hallmark sign of acute appendicitis.
McBurney's point is located one-third of the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus, corresponding to the typical location of the appendix base.
Inflammation of the appendix (appendicitis) causes irritation of the parietal peritoneum, leading to localized, sharp pain at this specific point.
The classic presentation starts with diffuse periumbilical pain that later migrates and localizes to the right lower quadrant at McBurney's point as the inflammation worsens.

Option A: Jaundice is a symptom, not a disease, characterized by yellowing of the skin and sclera due to hyperbilirubinemia. Associated pain, if present, is typically in the right upper quadrant, related to the liver or biliary tract.
Option B: Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. It causes pain in the epigastric (upper central) abdomen, not the right lower quadrant.
Option C: A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum. The characteristic pain is a burning sensation in the epigastrium, often relieved or worsened by food.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Clinical assessment of acute appendicitis helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Accurate and rapid identification of appendicitis is critical for nurses to prevent life-threatening complications like perforation, abscess formation, and sepsis.
Nursing assessment for suspected appendicitis includes checking for McBurney's point tenderness, Rovsing's sign, and other peritoneal signs, while continuously monitoring vital signs for evidence of deterioration.
A key nursing responsibility is to keep the patient NPO (nothing by mouth), avoid administering laxatives or applying heat to the abdomen, as these actions can precipitate appendiceal rupture.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'McBurney's point'.
This is a specific anatomical landmark. Your task is to recall the clinical condition associated with this point.
Access your knowledge of gastrointestinal disorders and their hallmark signs.
Evaluate the options: Jaundice (liver/biliary), Gastritis (stomach/epigastric), Peptic Ulcer (stomach/duodenum/epigastric), and Appendicitis (appendix/RLQ).
Directly link 'McBurney's point' to 'Appendicitis', as this is a classic, defining association taught in nursing education.
Confirm the selection by mentally ruling out the other options based on their typical pain locations.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 303-305

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 180-182

E6 Medicine Davidson Principles Practice 24e p. 807-809

Practise the full UPPSC 2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.