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A patient is admitted to the ICU with acute pancreatitis. The patients family asks what causes acute pancreatitis. The critical care nurse knows that a majority of patients with acute pancreatitis have what?
- A. Type 1 diabetes
- B. An impaired immune system
- C. Undiagnosed chronic pancreatitis
- D. An amylase deficiency
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Eighty percent of patients with acute pancreatitis have biliary tract disease or a history of long-term alcohol abuse. These patients usually have had undiagnosed chronic pancreatitis before their first episode of acute pancreatitis. Diabetes, an impaired immune function, and amylase deficiency are not specific precursors to acute pancreatitis.
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A patient has a recent diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis and is undergoing diagnostic testing to determine pancreatic islet cell function. The nurse should anticipate what diagnostic test?
- A. Glucose tolerance test
- B. ERCP
- C. Pancreatic biopsy
- D. Abdominal ultrasonography
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A glucose tolerance test evaluates pancreatic islet cell function and provides necessary information for making decisions about surgical resection of the pancreas. This specific clinical information is not provided by ERCP, biopsy, or ultrasound.
A 37-year-old male patient presents at the emergency department (ED) complaining of nausea and vomiting and severe abdominal pain. The patients abdomen is rigid, and there is bruising to the patients flank. The patients wife states that he was on a drinking binge for the past 2 days. The ED nurse should assist in assessing the patient for what health problem?
- A. Severe pancreatitis with possible peritonitis
- B. Acute cholecystitis
- C. Chronic pancreatitis
- D. Acute appendicitis with possible perforation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Severe abdominal pain is the major symptom of pancreatitis that causes the patient to seek medical care. Pain in pancreatitis is accompanied by nausea and vomiting that does not relieve the pain or nausea. Abdominal guarding is present and a rigid or board-like abdomen may be a sign of peritonitis. Ecchymosis (bruising) to the flank or around the umbilicus may indicate severe peritonitis. Pain generally occurs 24 to 48 hours after a heavy meal or alcohol ingestion. The link with alcohol intake makes pancreatitis a more likely possibility than appendicitis or cholecystitis.
A nurse is creating a care plan for a patient with acute pancreatitis. The care plan includes reduced activity. What rationale for this intervention should be cited in the care plan?
- A. Bed rest reduces the patients metabolism and reduces the risk of metabolic acidosis.
- B. Reduced activity protects the physical integrity of pancreatic cells.
- C. Bed rest lowers the metabolic rate and reduces enzyme production.
- D. Inactivity reduces caloric need and gastrointestinal motility.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The acutely ill patient is maintained on bed rest to decrease the metabolic rate and reduce the secretion of pancreatic and gastric enzymes. Staying in bed does not release energy from the body to fight the disease.
A patient with gallstones has been prescribed ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). The nurse understands that additional teaching is needed regarding this medication when the patient states:
- A. It is important that I see my physician for scheduled follow-up appointments while taking this medication.
- B. I will take this medication for 2 weeks and then gradually stop taking it.
- C. If I lose weight, the dose of the medication may need to be changed.
- D. This medication will help dissolve small gallstones made of cholesterol.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been used to dissolve small, radiolucent gallstones composed primarily of cholesterol. This drug can reduce the size of existing stones, dissolve small stones, and prevent new stones from forming. Six to 12 months of therapy is required in many patients to dissolve stones, and monitoring of the patient is required during this time. The effective dose of medication depends on body weight.
A nurse is preparing a plan of care for a patient with pancreatic cysts that have necessitated drainage through the abdominal wall. What nursing diagnosis should the nurse prioritize?
- A. Disturbed Body Image
- B. Impaired Skin Integrity
- C. Nausea
- D. Risk for Deficient Fluid Volume
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While each of the diagnoses may be applicable to a patient with pancreatic drainage, the priority nursing diagnosis is Impaired Skin Integrity. The drainage is often perfuse and destructive to tissue because of the enzyme contents. Nursing measures must focus on steps to protect the skin near the drainage site from excoriation. The application of ointments or the use of a suction apparatus protects the skin from excoriation.