Abdominal pain .Initially, the pain may be dull and poorly localized (visceral peritoneum involvement) and progresses to steady, severe, and more localized pain (parietal peritoneum involvement). Abdominal pain may be aggravated by any movement (eg, coughing, flexing the hips) and local pressure.

Depending on the cause, the patient may also present with:

Vomiting

Abdominal distension

On abdominal examination patients will present with:

Muscle guarding

Rebound tenderness

Diminished or absent bowel activity

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