Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Test

What are the signs/symptoms of peritonitis?

1. Abdominal pain; Fever and chills

2. Heel jar test; Markle test

3. Lack of appetite; Abdominal pain

4. Back pain; Jaundice; Seizures

The correct answer is: Abdominal pain; Fever and chills

The signs and symptoms of peritonitis typically include abdominal pain and fever, often accompanied by chills. Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, which can occur due to infection or the presence of irritants in the abdominal cavity. The abdominal pain can be severe and persistent, and fever is a sign that the body is responding to an inflammatory process or infection. Chills often accompany a fever, indicating a systemic response to infection. Other options listed are related to different conditions or tests that may not directly indicate peritonitis. The heel jar test and Markle test are specifically assessing for appendicitis rather than peritonitis. While lack of appetite and abdominal pain can be associated with various gastrointestinal illnesses, they are not as specific to peritonitis. Lastly, back pain, jaundice, and seizures are not typical symptoms of peritonitis and may suggest other systemic issues or different medical conditions altogether.