NCLEX Review & Nursing School

PANCREATITIS

– a progressive and chronic destruction of the pancreas.
– it is basically a chronic inflammation of the pancreas.

TYPES OF PANCREATITIS

• ALCOHOL INDUCED PANCREATITIS
• CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PANCREATITIS

CAUSES:
Bacterial/ Viral Infection
Alcoholism
Disease of the Biliary Duct

DIAGNOSTICS:
Cullen’s Sign (positive)
Blood Studies includes increased lipase, amylase and lipids.

ASSESSMENT:

• PAIN IN LUQ (LEFT UPPER QUADRANT)
• ASCITES, JAUNDICE
• ABDOMINAL TENDERNESS
• JAUNDICE, STEATORRHEA

INTERVENTIONS:
Diet: Low Fat, High Protien
Bed Rest is important.
Administer IV fluid to maintain hydration and prevent hypovolemia

Complications:

• Hypovolemic Shock
• Illeus
• Infection
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Jaundice

MEDS:
Analgesics for pain:  (Demerol)  Morphine*** is contraindicated with Pancreatitis.
Corticosteroids: Hydrocortisone
Anticholinergics: Prophanteline (Pro-Banthine)

Histamine Antagonists: Cimetidine (Tagament) Ranitidine (Zantac)

♠ Remember for the NCLEX:

* a patient with pancreatitis can have PERITONITIS, which is an inflammation of the peritoneum.

• Assessment (Peritonitis): Abdominal pain, elevated temp. N & V, Rebound Tenderness and Increase in White Blood Cells.,