GALLBLADDER DISEASES NCLEX 2026 EXAM ( CORRECTLY
ANSWERED QUESTIONS)GRADE A+
1. Question
A 52-year-old woman is being evaluated in the emergency department for
intermittent right upper quadrant pain after eating fatty meals. The provider
suspects gallbladder disease and orders an abdominal ultrasound. During client
teaching, the patient asks, “What exactly does the gallbladder do?”
Which of the following responses best explains the primary function of the
gallbladder?
A. Produce insulin
B. Store bile
Correct
C. Absorb nutrients
D. Secrete digestive enzymes
E. Filter blood toxins
Correct
,Correct Answer: B. Store bile
The gallbladder’s primary role is to store and concentrate bile, a digestive fluid
produced by the liver that helps emulsify dietary fats. When a person eats,
especially high-fat foods, the gallbladder contracts and releases bile into the small
intestine through the common bile duct. This action allows fats to be broken
down into smaller molecules for absorption.
Option A: Insulin production is a function of the pancreas, specifically the beta
cells of the islets of Langerhans. The gallbladder has no endocrine role and does
not participate in glucose regulation.
Option C: Absorption of nutrients occurs in the small intestine, with the jejunum
and ileum responsible for absorbing most carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins,
and minerals. The gallbladder does not absorb nutrients but supports digestion
indirectly through bile storage and release.
Option D: Digestive enzymes such as lipase, amylase, and proteases are secreted
by the pancreas. Bile released from the gallbladder is not an enzyme and does not
chemically break down nutrients; instead, it facilitates fat digestion by
emulsification.
Option E: Filtering and detoxification of blood are functions of the liver, while the
kidneys filter waste products for excretion in urine. The gallbladder does not filter
blood or remove toxins and is limited to bile storage and concentration.
2. Question
, A 45-year-old client arrives at the emergency department with complaints of
severe abdominal pain that started after eating a fatty meal. The nurse notes
guarding and tenderness in the right upper quadrant. The client describes the
pain as sharp and radiating.
Based on the nurse’s assessment and the client’s symptoms, where is the pain
most likely radiating?
A. Left arm
B. Right shoulder
Correct
C. Lower abdomen
D. Back of the head
E. Left lower leg
Correct
Correct Answer: B. Right shoulder
Clients with acute cholecystitis often experience right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain
due to inflammation of the gallbladder. This pain may radiate to the right
shoulder or scapula due to irritation of the phrenic nerve, which shares nerve
pathways with the shoulder (referred pain). The pain typically worsens after
meals, especially fatty foods.
ANSWERED QUESTIONS)GRADE A+
1. Question
A 52-year-old woman is being evaluated in the emergency department for
intermittent right upper quadrant pain after eating fatty meals. The provider
suspects gallbladder disease and orders an abdominal ultrasound. During client
teaching, the patient asks, “What exactly does the gallbladder do?”
Which of the following responses best explains the primary function of the
gallbladder?
A. Produce insulin
B. Store bile
Correct
C. Absorb nutrients
D. Secrete digestive enzymes
E. Filter blood toxins
Correct
,Correct Answer: B. Store bile
The gallbladder’s primary role is to store and concentrate bile, a digestive fluid
produced by the liver that helps emulsify dietary fats. When a person eats,
especially high-fat foods, the gallbladder contracts and releases bile into the small
intestine through the common bile duct. This action allows fats to be broken
down into smaller molecules for absorption.
Option A: Insulin production is a function of the pancreas, specifically the beta
cells of the islets of Langerhans. The gallbladder has no endocrine role and does
not participate in glucose regulation.
Option C: Absorption of nutrients occurs in the small intestine, with the jejunum
and ileum responsible for absorbing most carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins,
and minerals. The gallbladder does not absorb nutrients but supports digestion
indirectly through bile storage and release.
Option D: Digestive enzymes such as lipase, amylase, and proteases are secreted
by the pancreas. Bile released from the gallbladder is not an enzyme and does not
chemically break down nutrients; instead, it facilitates fat digestion by
emulsification.
Option E: Filtering and detoxification of blood are functions of the liver, while the
kidneys filter waste products for excretion in urine. The gallbladder does not filter
blood or remove toxins and is limited to bile storage and concentration.
2. Question
, A 45-year-old client arrives at the emergency department with complaints of
severe abdominal pain that started after eating a fatty meal. The nurse notes
guarding and tenderness in the right upper quadrant. The client describes the
pain as sharp and radiating.
Based on the nurse’s assessment and the client’s symptoms, where is the pain
most likely radiating?
A. Left arm
B. Right shoulder
Correct
C. Lower abdomen
D. Back of the head
E. Left lower leg
Correct
Correct Answer: B. Right shoulder
Clients with acute cholecystitis often experience right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain
due to inflammation of the gallbladder. This pain may radiate to the right
shoulder or scapula due to irritation of the phrenic nerve, which shares nerve
pathways with the shoulder (referred pain). The pain typically worsens after
meals, especially fatty foods.
