Pancreas Problems
Among patients hospitalized with pancreatitis and organ failure, the mortality rate is?
30-40%
These are the 2 most frequent causes of acute pancreatitis.
Gallstones and alcohol consumption
This term refers to inflammation of the pancreas and can be acute or chronic
Pancreatitis
Amylase
Lipase
Triglycerides
Patients are typically given this diet order upon initial suspicion of pancreatitis
NPO
This manifestation of pancreatitis is both physically and emotionally debilitating
Pain
Name 2 causes of pancreatitis other than gallstones or alcohol consumption.
Cigarette smoking
Increased age
Family history
Post-ERCP
Abdominal surgery
Trauma
Infection
Abdominal injury
Idiopathic
This term refers to the damage done by pancreatic enzymes when they leak into surrounding pancreatic tissue or the tissues of other nearby organs.
Autodigestion
This diagnostic study may be performed to identify underlying causes, severity, and complications of pancreatitis
Chest X-Ray
Abdominal X-Ray (KUB)
Nurses should plan proactive management of this key and often severe symptom of pancreatitis.
Pain
Name 3 symptoms of acute pancreatitis
Fever
Chills
Tachycardia
Diaphoresis
Tachypnea
Jaundice
N/V
PAIN
Agitation
Confusion
Name 2 comorbidities related to pancreatitis.
Obesity
Diabetes
Hypertriglyceridemia
Hypercalcemia
Pancreatic cancer
Cystic fibrosis
Name 1 of the 3 signs that are associated with pancreatitis
Grey-Turner's sign
Cullen's sign
Fox's sign
Nurses should plan to monitor these labs closely to identify the need for replacement.
Electrolytes
Patients may need this type of nutritional support for severe and/or prolonged cases of pancreatitis.
TPN
Due to behavioral changes prompted by intense pain, many patients with pancreatitis will present with one or more of these problems
Dehydration/Fluid volume deficit
Electrolyte abnormalities
Malnutrition
Name 3 complications that may be caused by pancreatitis.
Kidney failure
Breathing problems
Sepsis
Malnutrition
Type 2 DM
Cysts
Pseudocysts
Necrosis
Pancreatic cancer
Internal bleeding with rupture
Osteoporosis
This term refers to the excretion of excess fat in stool, which can be seen as a complication of pancreatitis.
Steatorrhea
This is the preferred initial test for suspected gallstones
Abdominal Ultrasound
Given one of the primary causes of pancreatitis, nurses must carefully monitor patients for signs of this condition that may occur during hospitalization.
Alcohol withdrawal
When assessing pain, nurses may note (name 2 descriptive assessments)
Tenderness to palpation
Guarding
Severe/worst pain ever experienced
Worse after eating
Epigastric/LUQ
Relieved with leaning or bending forward
Once a patient with pancreatitis has stabilized, management will focus on this
Treating the underlying causes
This term describes the types of fluids that are typically administered to patients with pancreatitis, such as lactated ringer's (LR)
Isotonic
Crystalloid
This diagnostic test is beneficial for staging acute pancreatitis but is typically not recommended in the first 48 hours
CT scan
Nurses should encourage the inclusion of what types of food in the patient's diet once they are able to resume eating?
Low-fat
High-fiber
Fruits
Vegetables
Whole grains
Potentially carb restricted with development of DM/endocrine dysfunction (temporary or permanent)