Cholecystitis and perioperative careCholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped sac located in the lower right part of the liver. The function of the gallbladder is to store digestive bile, which is continuously produced by the liver. Bile aids in the digestion of fats and the absorption of some vitamins. A healthy gallbladder empties as fatty foods enter the duodenum to help break down larger fat particles into smaller ones. In most cases, cholecystitis is caused by a blockage or stone in the gallbladder. “Approximately 90% of cholecystitis is caused by gallstones, which are often found to block the cystic duct” (Baldwin 2008). Bile gets trapped in the gallbladder and causes pressure and irritation. Gallstones are composed primarily of cholesterol. When stored bile crystallizes, solid lumps form. Other gallstones may be composed of calcium salts or bilirubin, the end product of the destruction of red blood cells. Research indicates that gallstone disease is the most common abdominal reason for hospitalization. Risk factors known to increase gallstone formation include: being female, rapid weight loss and fasting, diabetes, and certain medications. Medicines such as oral contraceptives and cholesterol-lowering drugs. It is vital that “nurses have a thorough understanding of cholecystitis and the surgical procedure, to ensure that patients are cared for not only empathetically but also safely and effectively” (Graham 2008). Signs and symptoms of acute cholecystitis include sudden onset pain and tenderness in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. This pain may radiate to the right shoulder and… center of paper… receive practical discharge instructions and information on pain management, wound care, return to daily activities, and follow-up with primary care doctor. This article focused on patient care after treatment for cholecystitis. As a nurse working on a medical-surgical unit, effective perioperative assessment and well-managed postoperative care can contribute to a positive patient outcome. Works Cited Baldwin, S. (2008). Gallbladder disease: imaging and treatment. Radiological Technology, 80(2), 131.Graham, L. (2008). Assistance for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Nursing Standard, 23(7), 41-48. What to do if you have gallstones. (2011). Harvard Women's Health Watch, 18(7), 6-7.Gaby, A. (2009). Nutritional approaches to the prevention and treatment of gallstones. Alternative Medicine Review, 14(3), 258-267.