Gastrointestinal surgery: Alvarado score: practice question

A General Surgery question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Surgery · Gastrointestinal surgery: Alvarado score

Sample item

Which component carries the highest weight (2 points) in the Alvarado score for appendicitis?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Right iliac fossa tenderness

The Alvarado score gives 2 points to right iliac fossa tenderness and to leucocytosis, and 1 point each to migratory pain, anorexia, nausea or vomiting, rebound tenderness, fever and left shift. A score of 7 or more suggests appendicitis.

Option by option

  • A. Rebound tenderness

    Rebound tenderness scores 1 point.

  • B. Nausea or vomiting

    Nausea and vomiting score 1 point.

  • C. Anorexia

    Anorexia scores 1 point.

  • D. Right iliac fossa tenderness (correct)

    Correct. Tenderness in the RIF and leucocytosis each carry 2 points.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is D, Right iliac fossa tenderness. The Alvarado score gives 2 points to right iliac fossa tenderness and to leucocytosis, and 1 point each to migratory pain, anorexia, nausea or vomiting, rebound tenderness, fever and left shift.

Why is "Rebound tenderness" not the answer?

Rebound tenderness scores 1 point.

Why is "Nausea or vomiting" not the answer?

Nausea and vomiting score 1 point.

Why is "Anorexia" not the answer?

Anorexia scores 1 point.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastrointestinal surgery: Alvarado score in General Surgery. A score of 7 or more suggests appendicitis.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Gastrointestinal surgery: Alvarado score?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.