American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

Which diagnostic test is used to confirm cholecystitis?

1. MRI

2. RUQ Ultrasound

3. CT Scan

4. X-ray

The correct answer is: RUQ Ultrasound

The RUQ (right upper quadrant) ultrasound is indeed the diagnostic test commonly used to confirm cholecystitis. This non-invasive imaging technique is particularly effective because it can visualize the gallbladder and detect the presence of gallstones, which are often the underlying cause of cholecystitis. In addition, ultrasound can identify signs of inflammation such as thickening of the gallbladder wall, pericholecystic fluid, and the presence of a positive Murphy’s sign. Ultrasound is preferred in many cases due to its safety, availability, and ability to provide real-time images without exposing patients to radiation. While other imaging modalities such as CT scans and MRIs can also be used to assess cholecystitis, they are often not the first-line diagnostic tools due to factors like the cost, longer time to obtain results, and radiation exposure involved in CT scans, or the impracticality of MRI in acute settings. X-rays, although useful in certain contexts, are not typically used to diagnose cholecystitis as they do not provide adequate visualization of the gallbladder or detect gallstones effectively. Thus, the RUQ ultrasound stands out as the primary and most practical choice for confirming the diagnosis of ch