Question

A nurse is assessing a client who has been diagnosed with cholecystitis,

and is experiencing localized abdominal pain. When assessing the
characteristics of the client's pain, the nurse should anticipate that it may
radiate to what region?

Answer 1

The localized abdominal pain associated with cholecystitis commonly radiates to the right shoulder or back due to the proximity of the gallbladder in the upper right abdominal quadrant and the phenomenon of referred pain.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing a client with cholecystitis who is experiencing localized abdominal pain, the nurse should anticipate that the pain may radiate to the right shoulder or back.

This is due to the location of the gallbladder in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen and the phenomenon of referred pain. Referred pain occurs when a pain sensation from a deep internal organ is perceived on the body surface at a different location.

For instance, irritation to the diaphragm can feel like pain in the shoulder or neck because of the shared nerve pathways.