Which of the following is a common feature of early appendicitis?

Neutrophilia is indeed a common feature of early appendicitis. This condition typically arises as a response to infection or inflammation. In the case of appendicitis, the appendix becomes inflamed due to obstruction, often leading to bacterial overgrowth. This stimulates the bone marrow to produce more neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections. As a result, when evaluating a patient suspected of having appendicitis, blood tests will often reveal an elevated white blood cell count, specifically an increase in neutrophils.

In contrast to neutrophilia, muscle rigidity may occur in later stages or with peritonitis as inflammation spreads. Severe abdominal pain can be seen in appendicitis but is more characteristic of advanced or complicated cases; early appendicitis might present with milder discomfort that gradually intensifies. High fever above 39°C is less common in early appendicitis; while fever can be a symptom, especially as the condition progresses, significant fever typically indicates a more severe or advanced state of the disease.