Question 1

The nurse is conducting patient education regarding prescribed drugs for acute pancreatitis.Which agent should the nurse include as one that is used for pain management?

Accepted Answer

Opioid narcotics are commonly used for pain management in acute pancreatitis. Spasmolytics help to reduce smooth muscle spasm, H₂antagonists help to decrease acid production, and pancreatic enzymes help with digestion but do not provide pain relief.

Question 2

A patient diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis asks if there are any alternative therapies that might help with treating the condition.Which alternative and complementary therapy is inappropriate to include in the teaching session with this patient?

Accepted Answer

Herbal kava tea is inappropriate to include in the teaching session because kava has been associated with liver toxicity and should be avoided in patients with chronic pancreatitis, who often already have impaired liver function. The other options, Qigong, magnetic field therapy, and a low-salt, low-fat vegetarian diet, may potentially have some benefits and can be discussed further with the patient.

Question 3

The nurse is conducting patient education regarding prescribed drugs for acute pancreatitis.Which agent should the nurse include as one that is used to decrease gastric acid secretions?

Accepted Answer

H₂Antagonists, also known as proton pump inhibitors, are a class of drugs used to decrease gastric acid secretions. They are commonly used in the treatment of acute pancreatitis to reduce the risk of developing gastric ulcers. Spasmolytics are used to relax smooth muscle and are not used to decrease gastric acid secretions. Opioid narcotics are used for pain relief in acute pancreatitis, but they do not decrease gastric acid secretions. Pancreatic enzymes are used to aid in digestion and are not used to decrease gastric acid secretions.

Question 4

Which patient data supports Ranson's criteria for acute pancreatitis at admission?

Accepted Answer

Ranson's criteria for acute pancreatitis at admission includes a blood glucose level greater than 200 mg/dL.

Question 5

The nurse is providing care to a patient who is being admitted to rule out acute pancreatitis.Which item found in the patient's history increases the patient's risk for this disease process?

Accepted Answer

Alcoholism is a major risk factor for acute pancreatitis. Other risk factors include hypertriglyceridemia, gallstones, trauma, and some medications. Systemic lupus and cystic fibrosis are not known to increase the risk of acute pancreatitis.

Question 6

The nurse is teaching a patient about the approved therapeutic agents for acute pancreatitis.Which patient statement indicates the need for further education?

Accepted Answer

Proton pump inhibitors are actually used to decrease gastric acid secretion and help reduce inflammation in the pancreas. Therefore, the patient's statement about them increasing gastric acid secretions indicates a need for further education. All other statements are accurate regarding the approved therapeutic agents for acute pancreatitis.

Question 7

The nurse is asked to explain the common laboratory values associated with acute pancreatitis.Which should the nurse include as the cause of an elevated WBC count?

Accepted Answer

An elevated WBC count in acute pancreatitis is typically due to the inflammatory process that occurs as the body responds to the inflammation of the pancreas.

Question 8

Which data collected during the health history places the patient at risk for acalculous cholecystitis?

Accepted Answer

Sickle cell disease is a risk factor for acalculous cholecystitis, which is inflammation of the gallbladder in the absence of gallstones. A spider bite, gallstones, and diabetes insipidus are not known risk factors for acalculous cholecystitis.

Question 9

The nurse is providing care to a patient who is diagnosed with acute necrotizing pancreatitis.Which agent should the nurse anticipate to be prescribed for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics may be prescribed for acute necrotizing pancreatitis to prevent or treat infections that can occur due to necrotic tissue.

Question 10

The nurse is asked to explain the common laboratory values associated with acute pancreatitis.Which should the nurse include as the cause of an elevated AST?

Accepted Answer

An elevated AST (aspartate aminotransferase) is associated with bile flow obstruction, which can occur in acute pancreatitis due to inflammation and swelling of the pancreas blocking the common bile duct. This can lead to elevated levels of both AST and ALT (alanine aminotransferase). Poor nutrition (choice A) may contribute to the development of pancreatitis, but is not directly associated with elevated AST. Gallstone pancreatitis (choice C) may also cause bile flow obstruction, leading to elevated AST levels. Fat necrosis and malnutrition (choice D) are not directly associated with elevated AST levels.

Question 11

The nurse is asked to explain the common laboratory values associated with acute pancreatitis.Which should the nurse include as the cause of hypocalcemia?

Accepted Answer

Hypocalcemia in acute pancreatitis is often due to fat necrosis, which leads to the binding of calcium with fatty acids, reducing the levels of calcium in the blood.

Question 12

The nurse is conducting patient education regarding prescribed drugs for acute pancreatitis.Which agent should the nurse include as one that is used to relax smooth muscle and the sphincter of Oddi?

Accepted Answer

Spasmolytics are used to relax smooth muscle and the sphincter of Oddi, which can help relieve pain associated with acute pancreatitis. H₂Antagonists may be used in certain cases, but they are not specifically used to relax smooth muscle and the sphincter of Oddi. Opioid narcotics may be used for pain control, but they do not target the sphincter of Oddi. Pancreatic enzymes are used to aid in digestion, and are not used to relax smooth muscle or the sphincter of Oddi.

Question 13

The nurse is asked to explain the common laboratory values associated with acute pancreatitis.Which should the nurse include as the cause of an elevated ALT?

Accepted Answer

Elevated ALT (alanine aminotransferase) is often associated with gallstone pancreatitis, as gallstones can obstruct the bile duct, leading to liver enzyme elevation.

Question 14

Which is the priority nursing action when providing care to a patient with a nasogastric tube (NGT)in place following a pancreaticoduodenectomy?

Accepted Answer

After a pancreaticoduodenectomy, manipulation of the NGT can disrupt surgical sites and lead to complications. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the NGT is not manipulated, making option D the priority action.

Question 15

The nurse is providing care to a patient who scores a 4 with the Ranson's score.Which conclusion by the nurse is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A Ranson's score of 4 indicates a 15% chance of mortality. It is important to note that Ranson's score is a tool used to predict the severity of acute pancreatitis and mortality risk, but it is not 100% accurate.

Question 16

The nurse is conducting patient education regarding prescribed drugs for acute pancreatitis.Which agent should the nurse include as one that is used for digesting fats and proteins?

Accepted Answer

Pancreatic enzymes are used to aid in the digestion of fats and proteins, which can be difficult for patients with acute pancreatitis due to inflammation and damage to the pancreas. Spasmolytics, H₂antagonists, and opioid narcotics are not used for digesting fats and proteins, but rather for pain management and symptom relief.

Question 17

The nurse is reviewing the health history for a patient who is diagnosed with acute pancreatitis.Which data supports the patient's current diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is reviewing the health history...

Question 18

The nurse is asked to explain the common laboratory values associated with acute pancreatitis.Which should the nurse include as the cause of decreased albumin?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is asked to explain the...

Question 19

The nurse is reviewing the health history for a patient who is diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis.Which data supports the patient's current diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that can lead to chronic pancreatitis due to the thickening of pancreatic secretions, which can block ducts and cause inflammation over time.

Question 20

A patient was discharged after hospitalization for acute pancreatitis with instructions on the use of analgesics,cautions on the importance of avoiding alcohol and smoking,and recommendations for a low-fat diet.Which outcome would indicate the need for further intervention by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Nausea is a common symptom of acute pancreatitis and can indicate unresolved inflammation or complications such as infection or bowel obstruction. The nurse should assess the patient for other symptoms and notify the healthcare provider for further evaluation and intervention. The other outcomes (B, C, and D) indicate progress or achievement of the desired goals of treatment.

Quiz 60: Coordinating Care for Patients With Biliary and Pancreatic Disorders