When assessing for appendicitis, which sign indicates pain in the right lower quadrant during left-sided pressure?

The sign indicating pain in the right lower quadrant during left-sided pressure is known as Rovsing's sign. This sign is elicited by palpating the left lower quadrant of a patient's abdomen, which may cause referred pain to the right lower quadrant if appendicitis is present. The underlying mechanism is that the pressure on the left side can accentuate the visceral pain arising from irritation of the peritoneum due to inflammation in the appendix.

Rovsing's sign is particularly useful in clinical assessments for appendicitis, as it reflects how visceral pain can be transmitted and perceived in different abdominal regions. This can enhance a clinician's understanding of whether appendicitis may be the cause of the patient's symptoms.

Psoas sign, McBurney's point tenderness, and obturator sign are all related to appendicitis but indicate different aspects of the condition. The psoas sign assesses for irritation of the iliopsoas muscle, and McBurney's point tenderness is focused on the anatomical location of the appendix. The obturator sign evaluates pain induced by movement of the obturator internus muscle.