Is it true that a patient complaining of abdominal pain will always exhibit abdominal tenderness?

The assertion that a patient complaining of abdominal pain will always exhibit abdominal tenderness is false. Abdominal tenderness is a subjective physical finding that does not universally manifest in all patients experiencing abdominal pain. There are several reasons why a patient may have abdominal pain without the presence of tenderness.

For instance, the etiology of the abdominal pain can vary widely—from gastrointestinal issues such as gastritis or constipation to non-gastrointestinal causes such as urinary tract infections or gynecological conditions. In some cases, patients may describe pain but not necessarily show signs of tenderness upon examination, especially in the early stages of an illness or when pain is visceral rather than somatic.

Additionally, individual pain thresholds and overall health can affect the physical examination findings. Some patients may have significant pain without tenderness due to conditions like pancreatitis or early-stage appendicitis where inflammation has not yet progressed enough to elicit tender responses.

Overall, while abdominal tenderness can be an important clinical indicator, its absence does not rule out the presence of abdominal pathology or pain. Therefore, the claim is not universally applicable, making the correct response false.