Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Test 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Cholecystitis is the medical term specifically used to describe inflammation of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ located beneath the liver that stores and concentrates bile, which is important for digestion, particularly the digestion of fats. When the gallbladder becomes inflamed, it can lead to severe abdominal pain, often on the right side or in the upper abdomen, and can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sometimes fever.

Inflammation can occur for various reasons, including the presence of gallstones, which are hardened deposits that can block the ducts leading from the gallbladder. This blockage can cause bile to build up, leading to irritation and inflammation. Recognizing cholecystitis is vital for timely treatment, which may include medications or surgery to remove the gallbladder if necessary.

The other options describe different medical conditions that do not pertain to the gallbladder:

- Inflammation of the liver is known as hepatitis.

- Infection of the kidneys could be referred to as pyelonephritis.

- An enlarged heart condition typically refers to cardiomegaly.

Understanding cholecystitis helps in assessing patients with abdominal pain and directing the appropriate diagnostic and treatment avenues.