Which sign may indicate appendicitis in children during a gastrointestinal assessment?

The presence of McBurney’s point tenderness and rebound tenderness is a classic sign of appendicitis in children. McBurney's point, located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, is the area where pain is most commonly localized during an appendicitis episode. When pressure is applied to this area, it may elicit sharp pain if the appendix is inflamed.

Rebound tenderness occurs when pressure applied to the abdomen is suddenly released, leading to increased pain. This phenomenon results from irritation of the peritoneum, which is often involved when appendicitis occurs. Together, these signs indicate inflammation and potential irritation of the appendix, making them critical indicators of appendicitis during a gastrointestinal assessment in pediatric patients.

In contrast, abdominal swelling can occur for various reasons and is not specific to appendicitis. A higher-than-normal appetite would be atypical in cases of appendicitis, as children usually experience decreased appetite due to abdominal pain and discomfort. Localized bruising does not typically indicate appendicitis either; it may suggest trauma or other conditions unrelated to appendicitis. Thus, the combination of McBurney’s point tenderness and rebound tenderness specifically points to an inflamed appendix.