If a client is diagnosed with cholecystitis, which symptom would be most relevant for the nurse to assess?

In the context of cholecystitis, assessing for right upper quadrant pain is particularly relevant because this condition specifically involves inflammation of the gallbladder, which is located in that region of the abdomen. Patients often report significant discomfort or pain in the right upper quadrant that can range from mild to severe and may be worsened by eating, especially fatty foods. It is a key symptom that helps in the diagnosis and management of cholecystitis.

Other symptoms, like chest pain, left lower quadrant pain, and lower back pain, might not be indicative of this condition. Chest pain could suggest cardiac issues, left lower quadrant pain may relate to other gastrointestinal disorders or reproductive system issues, and lower back pain can originate from a variety of non-specific causes. Thus, the focus on right upper quadrant pain aligns directly with the pathophysiology of cholecystitis and is a crucial detail for understanding this condition.