A patient has low-grade fever, with pain in the lower right quadrant; what might you suspect?

• A. Appendicitis
• B. Cholecystitis
• C. Pancreatitis
• D. Diverticulitis

Answer: (A)

Pain in the lower right quadrant with a low-grade fever points toward inflammation of the appendix. The appendix can become obstructed and inflamed, triggering localized peritoneal irritation in the RLQ. A classic pattern is initial periumbilical or generalized abdominal pain that then migrates to the RLQ, accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea, and a mild fever. On exam, tenderness at McBurney’s point with possible rebound tenderness or guarding supports this. In contrast, gallbladder issues usually cause right upper quadrant pain with a Murphy sign; pancreatitis often presents with upper abdominal pain radiating to the back; diverticulitis typically causes lower left quadrant pain. So the combination of RLQ pain and fever makes appendicitis the most likely diagnosis.