Rebound tenderness is assessed by pressing and releasing to evaluate pain in the area of the patient’s complaint.

• A. Apply deep pressure and hold.
• B. Press and release to see if pain worsens.
• C. Only observe for guarding.
• D. Palpate only the area indicated by patient.

Answer: (B)

Rebound tenderness is about detecting peritoneal irritation by watching how pain changes when you release pressure. The test is done by applying firm, steady pressure over the area of pain, then quickly lifting your hand away. If the patient experiences a noticeable increase in pain upon release, that indicates rebound tenderness.

This is why the best option describes pressing and releasing to see if pain worsens—it's capturing the rebound phenomenon, which signals tenderness from sudden decompression rather than from the pressure itself.

Holding deep pressure isn’t testing rebound, guarding is a different sign of abdominal guarding, and palpating only the area the patient points to could miss broader peritoneal irritation.