Medical Diagnosis: Cholecystitis/Cholelithiasis Nursing Diagnosis: Activity intolerance r/t laparoscopic abdominal incisions AEB SOB during ambulation, increased respirations at 38, O2 sat 80% room air after walking 50 ft. Normal Physiology: The gallbladder is situated inferior to the liver. The gallbladder is a structure that functions as a storage space for bile that is produced in the liver. The liver produces and secretes bile into the gallbladder from the right and left hepatic duct join together to become the common hepatic duct then into the gallbladder via the cystic duct. During the digestion of fatty food, the gallbladder releases bile that passes through the common bile duct and into the duodenum through the Sphincter of Oddi to break down fat into fatty acids to be absorbed by the small intestine to be used as energy and storage of energy for metabolic needs of the body.
Pathophysiology:
Cholecystitis, and inflammation of the gallbladder, is a condition which can be caused by cholelithiasis, the formation of gallstones. Most stones are formed of cholesterol. Excess cholesterol in bile is associated with obesity, high cholesterol diet and drugs that are prescribed to lower cholesterol levels. The excess saturation of cholesterol can lead to the formation of stones. This client had an elevated LDL and low HDL levels that do state the client had excess cholesterol. Biliary stasis, which is slow emptying of the gallbladder, can also cause the formation of stones. An inflammation of the gallbladder allows for excess water and bile salt reabsorption which call also lead to the formation of stones. This client did have wall thickening and distention of the gallbladder that indicates a inflammation of the gallbladder over a period of time. This is the second time the client came to the ER with pain in a 6 week period.
Potential Complications: If a gallstone migrates out of the
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