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Brudzinski's sign is a clinical finding that is specific for meningeal irritation, which occurs when the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord become inflamed, a condition typically associated with meningitis. During a physical examination, when a healthcare provider passively flexes the neck of a patient, a positive Brudzinski's sign is indicated if the patient involuntarily flexes their knees and hips in response. This reflex response suggests irritation of the meninges, confirming the suspicion of conditions such as bacterial or viral meningitis.

The other options do not pertain to the characteristic indications of Brudzinski's sign. For instance, while increased intracranial pressure can be a consequence of meningitis, it is not specifically indicated by Brudzinski's sign. Similarly, appendicitis involves pain in the right lower quadrant and has no correlation with neck flexion or meningeal signs. Malnutrition may lead to various physical symptoms but does not relate to the neurological signs central to evaluating meningitis. Thus, the most relevant interpretation of a positive Brudzinski's sign during a physical examination is indeed meningeal irritation.