Rosh Emergency Medicine Practice Test 2025 - Free Emergency Medicine Practice Questions and Study Guide

Rebound tenderness is a sign typically associated with peritoneal irritation, indicating that the abdominal wall relaxes and then causes pain when pressure is suddenly released. This physical exam finding is particularly prominent in acute appendicitis, which is characterized by inflammation of the appendix.

In the case of appendicitis, rebound tenderness is often noted in the right lower quadrant where the inflamed appendix is located. The pain experienced during this maneuver suggests an underlying inflammatory process affecting the peritoneum. Therefore, when assessing a patient with suspected appendicitis, the presence of rebound tenderness can strengthen the clinical suspicion of this condition.

While rebound tenderness can also be present in other abdominal conditions, its prominence and association with the clinical picture of appendicitis make it a classic finding linked specifically to this diagnosis. Other conditions may have similar physical exam findings, but they typically have additional signs or symptoms that help differentiate them from appendicitis.