Assess symptoms: abdominal pain that often starts near the navel and moves to the lower right abdomen
Check for loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, or constipation/diarrhea
Perform a physical exam for right lower quadrant tenderness, rebound tenderness, and guarding
Review pain progression, onset, and location
Order blood tests to look for elevated white blood cell count and signs of infection
Order urine tests to rule out urinary tract causes
Consider pregnancy testing in people who could be pregnant
Use imaging, usually ultrasound or CT scan, to confirm inflammation of the appendix
Seek urgent medical evaluation if appendicitis is suspected