Which factor is used in the MANTRELS score for acute appendicitis diagnosis?

The MANTRELS score, also known as the Alvarado score, is a clinical scoring system used to assess the likelihood of acute appendicitis in a patient. It incorporates various clinical factors to quantify the risk based on symptoms and findings. Among these, right lower quadrant tenderness is a key component of the score, as it is a classic sign indicative of appendicitis. This symptom reflects the inflammation of the appendix and is commonly elicited upon physical examination. The presence of right lower quadrant tenderness increases the scoring and helps clinicians evaluate the probability of acute appendicitis, guiding further diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.

The other factors included in the MANTRELS score are also important, but they do not carry the same weight as right lower quadrant tenderness in indicating appendicitis specifically. For example, while palpation of the abdomen may provide some information, it is the presence of direct tenderness that is more clinically relevant. Similarly, height of fever and blood pressure readings are less specific to appendicitis and more broadly related to the patient's overall condition, which is why they do not serve as pivotal components in this scoring system.