A patient presents with a rigid abdomen following blunt abdominal trauma. This finding is most consistent with which condition?

• A. Peritonitis
• B. Appendicitis
• C. Pancreatitis
• D. Hernia

Answer: (A)

A rigid, board-like abdomen after blunt abdominal trauma points to peritoneal irritation from peritonitis. When the peritoneum becomes inflamed—often because a hollow organ has been perforated or there is significant intra-abdominal bleeding—the abdominal wall reflexively tenses and becomes rigid to protect the腹 organs. That involuntary guarding and rigidity is a key sign of an acute abdomen requiring urgent evaluation and typically surgical management.

Injury patterns like inflammation from appendicitis usually produce localized tenderness and gradual pain progression rather than sudden, global abdominal rigidity after trauma. Pancreatitis presents with epigastric pain and specific risk factors, not typically a trauma-induced rigid abdomen. A hernia can cause a bulge and tenderness at the site of weakness but does not cause the entire abdomen to become rigid.