A nurse is caring for a client with acute cholecystitis. Which of the following clinical manifestations is most commonly associated with this condition?

Choice A reason:

Chronic alcohol consumption is not a common cause of gallbladder inflammation or cholecystitis. However, excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to liver disease, which may increase the risk of gallstone formation.

Choice B reason:

Excessive consumption of dairy products is not a common cause of gallbladder inflammation. The primary factors leading to cholecystitis are gallstones, inflammation of the gallbladder wall, or infection.

Choice C reason:

This statement is correct. Blockage of the cystic duct by a gallstone is a common cause of gallbladder inflammation. When a gallstone obstructs the cystic duct, bile cannot flow freely, leading to increased pressure and inflammation of the gallbladder wall, resulting in cholecystitis.

Choice D reason:

Allergic reactions to certain foods are not a common cause of gallbladder inflammation or cholecystitis. Cholecystitis is primarily related to gallstones, bile flow abnormalities, or infections.

A. Mild, intermittent right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain is more characteristic of chronic cholecystitis rather than acute cholecystitis, which typically presents with severe pain.
B. Left lower quadrant (LLQ) pain with rebound tenderness is more indicative of conditions like diverticulitis, not acute cholecystitis.
C. Severe, colicky abdominal pain radiating to the right shoulder is the most common presentation of acute cholecystitis, often caused by gallbladder inflammation and obstruction of the cystic duct. The pain is due to irritation of the phrenic nerve, which supplies both the gallbladder and right shoulder.
D. Epigastric pain worsened by fatty meals is often seen in gallbladder disease but is more characteristic of biliary colic rather than acute cholecystitis.