What are the components of Charcot's triad for acute cholangitis?

Charcot's triad is a classic clinical presentation associated with acute cholangitis, a serious infection due to obstruction of the bile duct system. The triad consists of three key components: fever, right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain, and jaundice.

Fever indicates the systemic reaction to infection, often seen in cases of cholangitis where bile duct obstruction leads to bacterial overgrowth and subsequent inflammation. RUQ pain arises from the liver and bile duct involvement, reflecting the anatomical location and irritation or distension of these structures. Jaundice results from elevated bilirubin levels, which can occur due to the obstruction preventing bile from properly draining into the intestines, thus accumulating in the bloodstream.

The other options present symptoms that are either not linked to cholangitis or do not form a recognized triad for this condition. For example, headache and nausea can occur in a variety of conditions but are not specific to acute cholangitis. Similarly, hypotension and confusion may suggest severe sepsis or other critical conditions but do not reflect the hallmark signs of cholangitis. Lastly, though pruritus, abdominal distension, and jaundice can be related to obstructive processes, they do not collectively define Charcot's triad.