In appendiceal inflammation, Rovsing's sign is positive when palpation of which quadrant elicits RLQ pain?

• A. RLQ palpation elicits LLQ pain
• B. LLQ palpation elicits RLQ pain
• C. Peri-umbilical palpation elicits RLQ pain
• D. RLQ palpation elicits peri-umbilical pain

Answer: (B)

Rovsing’s sign measures peritoneal irritation associated with appendiceal inflammation. When you press on the left lower quadrant, it increases intra-abdominal pressure and irritates the peritoneum around the inflamed appendix, causing pain to be felt in the right lower quadrant. That transfer of pain is what the sign relies on, and a positive result supports appendicitis. The described scenario—left-sided palpation triggering right-sided RLQ pain—is the classic depiction. The other options don’t describe this cross-hemispheric referral pattern: pressing in the right lower quadrant or near the umbilicus does not produce the same RLQ pain transfer characteristic of Rovsing’s sign.