The emergency department nurse can expect to see which assessment cues in the patient with acute pancreatitis? Select all that apply.

Fever.

Gray-blue discoloration of the flank or umbilical area.

Hypertension.

Decreased amylase level.

Nausea and vomiting.

Severe abdominal pain.

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : A,B,E,F

Choice A reason: Fever is a common sign of acute pancreatitis and indicates an inflammatory response. Inflammation of the pancreas can trigger the release of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators, leading to an elevated body temperature. This is a common symptom observed in many cases of acute pancreatitis and suggests an ongoing inflammatory process.

Choice B reason: Gray-blue discoloration of the flank or umbilical area, also known as Grey Turner's sign and Cullen's sign respectively, indicates bleeding and severe inflammation within the pancreas. These signs are indicative of retroperitoneal hemorrhage or pancreatic necrosis, which are severe complications of acute pancreatitis. The presence of such discoloration is a significant finding that suggests a more serious form of the condition.

Choice C reason: Hypertension is not typically associated with acute pancreatitis. In fact, patients with acute pancreatitis are more likely to experience hypotension due to fluid shifts, inflammatory responses, and potential hemorrhage. Monitoring blood pressure is important in these patients to manage any potential complications.

Choice D reason: Decreased amylase level is not an expected finding in acute pancreatitis. Typically, acute pancreatitis is associated with elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes such as amylase and lipase due to inflammation and damage to the pancreatic cells, which release these enzymes into the bloodstream.

Choice E reason: Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms in acute pancreatitis. The inflammation of the pancreas and the associated pain can stimulate the vomiting center in the brain and lead to nausea and vomiting. These symptoms are often severe and can significantly affect the patient's comfort and hydration status.

Choice F reason: Severe abdominal pain is one of the hallmark signs of acute pancreatitis. The pain is typically located in the upper abdomen and may radiate to the back. It is often described as constant and severe, and can be exacerbated by eating or lying flat. Effective pain management is a critical aspect of caring for patients with acute pancreatitis.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Completion of antibiotic therapy does not necessarily correlate with a decrease in the risk of infection in burn patients. While antibiotics can help manage existing infections, the risk for new infections remains until the burn wounds are fully healed. Open burn wounds provide a portal of entry for pathogens, and the presence of necrotic tissue can further increase infection risk.

Choice B reason: Returning albumin levels to normal can improve the overall nutritional status and healing process of a burn patient, but it does not directly reduce the risk of infection. Albumin levels are more indicative of the patient's nutritional status and fluid balance. The primary concern for infection risk remains the open burn wounds, which serve as a direct route for pathogens.

Choice C reason: Completion of the fluid resuscitation process is crucial for stabilizing a burn patient's hemodynamic status and ensuring adequate perfusion to tissues. However, fluid resuscitation does not directly impact the risk of infection. The risk of infection is predominantly related to the presence and extent of open burn wounds.

Choice D reason: The correct response is that the risk for infection significantly decreases when all of the burn wounds have closed. Closed wounds provide a barrier against pathogens and reduce the risk of infection. Wound closure can be achieved through natural healing or surgical interventions such as skin grafting. Until the wounds are fully closed, the patient remains at a high risk for infection.

A. Maintain NPO status. B. Soft, bland diet. C. Regular diet. D. Low-fat, high-fiber diet.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Maintaining NPO (nothing by mouth) status is essential for patients with acute pancreatitis. This allows the pancreas to rest and decreases the secretion of pancreatic enzymes, reducing inflammation and promoting healing. NPO status is typically maintained until the patient's symptoms improve and the inflammation subsides.

Choice B reason: A soft, bland diet is not appropriate for the initial management of acute pancreatitis. Introducing food too early can stimulate pancreatic enzyme production and worsen inflammation. Once the patient stabilizes, dietary recommendations may include a gradual reintroduction of low-fat, bland foods.

Choice C reason: A regular diet is not suitable for patients with acute pancreatitis. Consuming a regular diet can exacerbate symptoms and inflammation by stimulating pancreatic enzyme secretion. Patients need to follow a more controlled dietary plan to manage their condition effectively.

Choice D reason: A low-fat, high-fiber diet is beneficial for general health but not for the initial management of acute pancreatitis. Once the patient's condition stabilizes and they are no longer NPO, a low-fat diet may be introduced gradually to avoid stimulating pancreatic enzyme production.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

The emergency department nurse can expect to see which assessment cues in the patient with acute pancreatitis? Select all that apply.

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse cares for a patient who has burn injuries. The patient's wife asks, "When will his high risk for infection decrease?" How would the nurse respond?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse should anticipate which of these dietary measures for a patient admitted with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

What does the nurse expect the healthcare provider to prescribe when a post-kidney transplant client develops oliguria, elevated temperature of 37.8°C, increased blood pressure, and signs of fluid retention 12 days after the surgery?

The nurse is caring for a patient in shock with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and would expect to see the following assessments: petechiae, bleeding gums, and

A nurse is caring for a client who reports a new onset of severe chest pain. Which of the following cues should the nurse assess to determine if the client is experiencing a myocardial infarction? Pick 2 answers.

A nurse assesses a patient in an outpatient clinic. Which statement alerts the nurse to the possibility of left-sided heart failure?

A nurse plans care for a patient with acute pancreatitis. Which intervention would the nurse include in this patient's plan of care to reduce discomfort?

The nurse correlates which rationale with the administration of aspirin to the client experiencing angina-like chest pain?

A client is admitted to the emergency department with a full-thickness burn to the right arm. Upon assessment, the arm is edematous, the fingers are mottled, and the radial pulse is now absent. The client states that the pain is 8/10. What is the priority action the nurse should take?

To determine treatment effectiveness in a patient with pancreatitis, the nurse should monitor which of these tests?