A patient comes into the emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain that have become very severe.Which observation would the nurse evaluate as supporting the tentative diagnosis of acute pancreatitis?
A)The patient is most comfortable sitting on the side of the bed with arms extended back and legs dangling.
B)The patient is most comfortable lying flat in bed.
C)The patient is most comfortable lying on left side,knees pulled up to the chest.
D)The patient is only comfortable while walking around the perimeter of the room with arms wrapped around the abdomen.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Patients with acute pancreatitis often experience relief in pain when lying on their left side with knees pulled up to the chest. This allows for the pancreas to rest and reduces tension on the inflamed organ. The other choices do not support the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.

A Patient Comes into the Emergency Department with Complaints of Abdominal