Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 92%
Full-length
The nurse is caring for a client with cholelithiasis and acute cholecystitis. The client suddenly vomits 250 mL of greenish-yellow emesis and reports severe right upper quadrant pain with radiation to the right shoulder. Which intervention would have the highest priority?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
Acute cholecystitis with vomiting and severe pain suggests gallbladder inflammation or obstruction, requiring immediate cessation of oral intake (NPO status, B) to prevent further stimulation and complications like perforation. Promethazine (A) and pain medication (D) are supportive but secondary. A nasogastric tube (C) may be considered later but is not the priority.