What term describes tensing of the abdominal wall muscles to guard inflamed abdominal organs during palpation?

• A. Guarding
• B. Rigidity
• C. Rebound tenderness
• D. Tenderness

Answer: (A)

Guarding is the protective tensing of the abdominal wall you see during palpation when a patient has inflamed organs underneath. This voluntary or reflexive contraction helps shield the irritated peritoneum. It differs from rigidity, which is a constant, involuntary board-like hardening of the abdomen often from peritoneal inflammation and not limited to palpation. Rebound tenderness is pain that occurs after you lift your hand, signaling peritoneal irritation, not the protective tensing itself. Tenderness is a general term for pain on palpation and doesn’t specify muscle guarding.