Final answer:
The next step in the diagnosis of the patient should be to perform blood cultures and start broad-spectrum antibiotics due to the presentation of elevated temperature, white blood cell count, RUQ pain, and N/V. The patient's symptoms, as well as the ultrasound findings of gallstones and a thickened, edematous gallbladder wall, suggest acute cholecystitis, which is inflammation of the gallbladder. The elevated alkaline phosphatase is consistent with inflammation in the biliary system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The next step in the diagnosis of the patient should be to perform blood cultures and start broad-spectrum antibiotics due to the presentation of elevated temperature, white blood cell count, RUQ pain, and N/V. The patient's symptoms, as well as the ultrasound findings of gallstones and a thickened, edematous gallbladder wall, suggest acute cholecystitis, which is inflammation of the gallbladder. The elevated alkaline phosphatase is consistent with inflammation in the biliary system.