A nurse is collecting data from a child who has acute appendicitis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A rationale Bradycardia, or a slower than normal heart rate, is not typically associated with acute appendicitis. In fact, tachycardia, or a faster than normal heart rate, may occur due to the body’s response to inflammation and infection. Choice B rationale Hyperactive bowel sounds are not a typical finding in acute appendicitis. In fact, bowel sounds may be normal or decreased due to the inflammatory process. Choice C rationale A white blood cell (WBC) count of 17,000/mm is higher than the normal range, indicating the presence of an infection or inflammation in the body. This is a common finding in acute appendicitis. Choice D rationale Pain from appendicitis is typically located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, not the left.