A patient presenting with right upper quadrant pain shortly after eating may be suffering from which condition?

The correct answer is cholecystitis because this condition is commonly associated with the right upper quadrant pain, particularly after meals. Cholecystitis is the inflammation of the gallbladder, often caused by gallstones obstructing the cystic duct. When a person eats, especially a fatty meal, the gallbladder contracts to release bile for digestion. If there is an obstruction due to gallstones, this can lead to increased pressure and pain in the right upper quadrant as well as other symptoms like nausea and vomiting. The timing of the pain shortly after eating directly correlates with the gallbladder's normal function being compromised.

In contrast, appendicitis typically presents with pain in the right lower quadrant and is not directly related to meals. Diverticulitis usually causes pain in the lower abdomen as well and is tied to issues in the colon, rather than the gallbladder. Pancreatitis generally leads to pain that is more central or even in the back, and it can be related to heavy alcohol use or gallstones but does not specifically present as right upper quadrant pain after eating.