When the child is brought to the hospital, the doctor will do a complete physical examination on the child. Blood may be taken for investigation. Occasionally, an ultrasound or a computerised tomography scan (CT scan) may be done to help with the diagnosis, but usually a physical examination is enough. Your child will not be allowed to eat or drink for a few hours. This is to prepare for surgery. Once your child has been diagnosed to have acute appendicitis, an urgent operation will be required.