Which condition can result from a burst appendix causing infection in the abdomen?

• A. Gastroenteritis
• B. Peritonitis
• C. Gallstones
• D. Constipation

Answer: (B)

When an inflamed appendix bursts, bacteria and contents spill into the sterile space of the abdominal cavity, triggering infection and inflammation of the lining that covers the abdominal organs—the peritoneum. This combination of infection and peritoneal irritation is called peritonitis. It fits the scenario because the rupture enables pathogens to spread inside the abdomen, rather than staying confined to the intestinal tract or causing issues limited to the gallbladder or bowel movements alone.

Gastroenteritis involves infection of the gastrointestinal tract itself, often with symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea, but it doesn’t arise from peritoneal contamination after a rupture. Gallstones affect the biliary system and can cause gallbladder inflammation or biliary pain, not a direct result of appendix rupture. Constipation is a movement issue, not an infectious process of the abdomen. So the condition most directly linked to a burst appendix causing abdominal infection is peritonitis.