For which diagnosis is RLQ pain identified as a significant symptom?

Right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain is closely associated with appendicitis, making it a significant symptom for this diagnosis. The appendix is located in the RLQ of the abdomen, and when it becomes inflamed, it typically causes sharp pain in this area. The pain often starts around the umbilicus (belly button) and then localizes to the RLQ as the inflammation progresses.

In appendicitis, this localized pain is often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sometimes fever, which help healthcare providers confirm the diagnosis. The presentation and progression of symptoms, particularly the characteristic shift of pain to the RLQ, are key indicators that suggest appendicitis.

Other conditions listed, such as intestinal obstruction, cholecystitis, and hernia, may cause abdominal pain but do not specifically localize to the RLQ in the same way that appendicitis does. Therefore, while RLQ pain can occur in those conditions, it's the strong association of RLQ pain with appendicitis that makes it particularly significant for that diagnosis.