Labs & Diagnostics
A key laboratory finding used to diagnose pancreatitis involves elevation of these two pancreatic enzymes.
What are amylase and lipase?
The priority intervention when a patient is admitted with suspected acute pancreatitis is to implement this diet order to decrease pancreatic stimulation.
What is NPO status?
The nurse notes increasing restlessness, hypotension, and decreased urine output in a patient with severe pancreatitis. These findings most likely indicate progression to this life-threatening condition.
What is hypovolemic shock due to third spacing?
A late complication of chronic pancreatitis involves malabsorption because the pancreas can no longer produce these digestive substances.
What are pancreatic enzymes?
This medication replaces digestive enzymes lost due to pancreatic insufficiency.
What is pancrelipase?
In pancreatitis, elevated hematocrit may indicate hemoconcentration due to this physiologic problem.
What is severe fluid loss into the third space?
Pancreatitis caused by gallstones may require this procedure to remove obstruction in the biliary tract.
What is ERCP?
A nurse notes bluish discoloration around the umbilicus in a patient with pancreatitis, indicating this underlying complication.
What is retroperitoneal hemorrhage (Cullen's sign)?
Severe pancreatitis causes hypocalcemia because pancreatic lipase releases fatty acids that bind calcium in this biochemical process.
What is saponification (fat necrosis)?
The priority diet recommendation for patients with chronic pancreatitis to reduce pancreatic stimulation.
What is a low-fat diet?
This inflammatory marker is commonly used to assess the severity and prognosis of pancreatitis.
What is C-reactive protein (CRP)?
A CT scan is preferred for diagnosing pancreatitis because it can detect these two major complications.
What are pseudocysts and pancreatic abscesses?
A patient with pancreatitis develops tachypnea, crackles, and worsening oxygenation. These findings suggest development of..
What is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)?
Severe pancreatitis may activate prothrombin and plasminogen, increasing the risk for this widespread coagulation disorder.
What is disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?
The presence of oily, foul-smelling stools in chronic pancreatitis indicates this digestive problem.
What is steatorrhea?
If a patient with pancreatitis develops hypocalcemia, the nurse should monitor for this neuromuscular manifestation.
What is tetany or positive Chvostek/Trousseau signs?
A nurse positions a patient with acute pancreatitis in this position primarily to improve breathing by reducing pressure on this structure.
What Semi-Fowler's position to reduce pressure on the diaphragm?
Normal or slightly elevated amylase and lipase levels in chronic pancreatitis occur because the pancreas has undergone this structural change.
What is fibrosis?
Pancreatic inflammation can escalate to systemic organ dysfunction when inflammatory mediators trigger this syndrome characterized by widespread inflammatory response.
What is systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)?
The most important lifestyle intervention to prevent further pancreatic damage in chronic pancreatitis.
What is complete alcohol cessation?
This pancreatic enzyme is particularly helpful diagnostically because it remains elevated longer and is more specific to pancreatic injury.
What is lipase?
The priority complication the nurse monitors for when abdominal distention and absent bowel sounds develop.
What is paralytic ileus?
Testing stool for excess fat in chronic pancreatitis evaluates the severity of this digestive disorder.
What is malabsorption due to exocrine insufficiency?
When pancreatic inflammation causes widespread organ dysfunction involving lungs, kidneys, and circulation, the patient has developed this condition.
What is multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)?
This medication may be administered to treat severe tetany in pancreatitis.
What is calcium gluconate?