A febrile 24-year-old female reports severe abdominal pain that began around the navel and moved to the right lower quadrant. Vital signs are stable. What should you do?

• A. Administer oxygen by non-rebreather mask
• B. Transport her in a supine position
• C. Transport her in a position of comfort
• D. Administer aspirin

Answer: (C)

Focus on keeping the patient comfortable while moving her to definitive care quickly. A migratory abdominal pain from the periumbilical area to the right lower quadrant in a febrile young woman is classic for an acute surgical abdomen such as appendicitis. In a patient who is stable, the priority is not to rush with oxygen or analgesics that don’t address the underlying issue, but to reduce pain and stress during transport and get her to a facility where surgery can be considered.

Oxygen is not needed unless there is low oxygen or other respiratory distress. Transport in a position of comfort helps minimize abdominal wall strain and pain, which can otherwise worsen patient distress during movement. Administering aspirin is not appropriate here because it doesn’t treat the abdominal pathology and could complicate potential surgery due to bleeding risk and masking symptoms. So the best action is to transport her in a position of comfort while monitoring her condition.