A 19-year-old female presents with a 12-hour history of vague periumbilical pain that has now localized to the right lower quadrant. She has nausea, anorexia, and a low-grade fever (100.5°F). Physical exam reveals tenderness at McBurney's point and rebound tenderness. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

The correct answer to the question "A 19-year-old female presents with a 12-hour history of vague periumbilical pain that has now localized to the right lower quadrant. She has nausea, anorexia, and a low-grade fever (100.5°F). Physical exam reveals tenderness at McBurney's point and rebound tenderness. What is the most appropriate next step in management?" is Option B: Obtain a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis.

The other options — A) Administer intravenous antibiotics, C) Perform an emergent appendectomy, D) Observe with serial abdominal exams — are incorrect for this USMLE Exam Prep question. As explained above: In a patient with classic symptoms of appendicitis, a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is the most appropriate next diagnostic step. It helps confirm the diagnosis, assess for complications, and rul…