A palpable,tender gallbladder may indicate cholecystitis.Test for cholecystitis by asking the client to take in a deep breath during deep palpation. Cholecystitis is suspected if the client experiences pain and abruptly stops inhaling during palpation.A nontender, enlarged gallbladder suggests common bile duct obstruction.
Palpate below the liver margin at the right lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle for the gallbladder is not palpable.