Question:

A nurse cares for patients in the emergency department of a large hospital. One of the nurse’s patients has acute right-sided abdominal pain and is suspected of having appendicitis. Which of the following, if overheard by the nurse, would prompt immediate intervention?

A “The pain doesn’t feel as bad now. Maybe it was only a bad stomachache.”

explanation

A patient with suspected appendicitis who suddenly feels better has just had their appendix burst and need to go into surgery right away.