Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

Which demographic characteristic is commonly associated with cholecystitis?

1. Young male athletes

2. Older adults with high cholesterol

3. Fat, fertile, farty females

4. Children under five

The correct answer is: Fat, fertile, farty females

The characteristic most commonly associated with cholecystitis is often described by the phrase "fat, fertile, farty females," which highlights a pattern observed in the demographic of women who are more likely to develop this condition. This phrase encapsulates key risk factors: obesity (fat), being of childbearing age or having had multiple pregnancies (fertile), and increased gas production (farty), which can contribute to gallbladder issues. Cholecystitis, inflammation of the gallbladder, is particularly prevalent among women in their reproductive years, and obesity is a significant risk factor due to the increase in cholesterol levels that can lead to gallstone formation, subsequently causing cholecystitis. While older adults can also develop cholecystitis, and high cholesterol does play a role in its development, the specific combination of gender, body type, and reproductive history is a defining characteristic for this condition. Therefore, acknowledging these demographics aids in understanding the risk profile associated with cholecystitis.