Platinum Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic (EMTP) 3.3 Practice Test

Pain from acute cholecystitis is typically worsened by which action?

Deep inspiration Swallowing solid food Bending forward Lying supine

Correct Answer:

Deep inspiration

Explanation:

Deep inspiration tends to worsen pain in acute cholecystitis because the inflamed gallbladder is irritated by diaphragmatic movement. When you take a deep breath, the diaphragm moves downward and the liver and gallbladder shift with it. This movement can stretch and press on the irritated gallbladder and surrounding peritoneum, amplifying pain. This is reflected clinically by how a deep breath can provoke ruq pain and, in exam settings, how Murphy’s sign demonstrates pain with inspiratory effort. While meals can trigger gallbladder contraction and contribute to pain in biliary disease, the acute inflammatory pain is classically aggravated by breathing in deeply.

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