Timothy, a male aged 21 years with abdominal
pain, was admitted to the surgical unit from the
emergency department in one hospital. He was
living in student accommodation and had been
revising for his university examinations, which
were due to take place in two months’ time. He
had experienced several episodes of nausea and
vomiting, and had pain in his right iliac fossa
radiating to the umbilical area. Timothy had
not eaten for 48 hours. His skin was dry, he was
dehydrated and had low-grade pyrexia. The
patient’s clinical history and a physical examination
were undertaken.