Which finding increases over several hours in appendicitis?

Which finding increases over several hours in appendicitis?

• A. Guarding and rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant
• B. Fever
• C. Nausea resolves quickly
• D. Weight gain

Answer: (B)

Fever tends to rise as appendicitis progresses. When the appendix is obstructed, bacteria multiply and inflammatory mediators circulate, prompting the body's temperature-regulating center to raise the set point. This systemic inflammatory response builds over hours, so the temperature often climbs as the condition advances. Other signs reflect irritation or symptoms that may appear early or fluctuate: guarding and rebound tenderness show peritoneal irritation that can become more noticeable, but they don’t necessarily increase in a predictable, time-dependent way like fever does; nausea is common early and may not keep rising; weight gain isn’t a feature of acute appendicitis. Thus, fever is the finding that typically increases over several hours as the infection grows.

Fever tends to rise as appendicitis progresses. When the appendix is obstructed, bacteria multiply and inflammatory mediators circulate, prompting the body's temperature-regulating center to raise the set point. This systemic inflammatory response builds over hours, so the temperature often climbs as the condition advances. Other signs reflect irritation or symptoms that may appear early or fluctuate: guarding and rebound tenderness show peritoneal irritation that can become more noticeable, but they don’t necessarily increase in a predictable, time-dependent way like fever does; nausea is common early and may not keep rising; weight gain isn’t a feature of acute appendicitis. Thus, fever is the finding that typically increases over several hours as the infection grows.