Which option lists the signs and symptoms of intra-abdominal infection?

Which option lists the signs and symptoms of intra-abdominal infection?

• A. Fever and leukocytosis only.
• B. Cough and dyspnea.
• C. Anorexia, pallor, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain/cramping, guarding, and rigidity.
• D. Nausea and vomiting only.

Answer: (C)

Intra-abdominal infection typically causes both local peritoneal irritation and systemic inflammatory response. The most telling signs are abdominal findings such as pain with guarding and rigidity, which indicate peritoneal irritation, often from infection. Alongside these local signs, GI symptoms like anorexia and vomiting reflect bowel involvement, and pallor can reflect dehydration or sepsis. Fever and leukocytosis are common but not specific, and cough or dyspnea aren’t primary features of intra-abdominal infection. Nausea and vomiting alone are nonspecific, so they don’t fully capture the situation. The combination of anorexia, pallor, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain/cramping, guarding, and rigidity best represents intra-abdominal infection, making it the strongest choice.

Intra-abdominal infection typically causes both local peritoneal irritation and systemic inflammatory response. The most telling signs are abdominal findings such as pain with guarding and rigidity, which indicate peritoneal irritation, often from infection. Alongside these local signs, GI symptoms like anorexia and vomiting reflect bowel involvement, and pallor can reflect dehydration or sepsis. Fever and leukocytosis are common but not specific, and cough or dyspnea aren’t primary features of intra-abdominal infection. Nausea and vomiting alone are nonspecific, so they don’t fully capture the situation. The combination of anorexia, pallor, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain/cramping, guarding, and rigidity best represents intra-abdominal infection, making it the strongest choice.