The nurse is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis. Which of the following would the nurse anticipate seeing in the client's history?
Cholelithiasis
Constipation
Splenomegaly
Ascites
The Correct Answer is A
A. Cholelithiasis: Gallstones (cholelithiasis) are a major cause of acute pancreatitis because they can block the pancreatic duct, leading to inflammation and autodigestion of the pancreas.
B. Constipation: Pancreatitis is more commonly associated with diarrhea due to malabsorption, rather than constipation.
C. Splenomegaly: Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) is associated with portal hypertension from liver disease, not pancreatitis.
D. Ascites: Ascites is seen in advanced liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis) rather than acute pancreatitis, though severe cases of pancreatitis can lead to fluid accumulation in the abdomen.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Increased serum amylase: Amylase, like lipase, is an enzyme produced by the pancreas. In acute pancreatitis, amylase levels rise significantly due to pancreatic inflammation.
B. Decreased serum lipase: Lipase is actually increased, not decreased, in pancreatitis. Elevated lipase is more specific than amylase for diagnosing pancreatitis.
C. Increased serum calcium: Hypocalcemia (low calcium) is more commonly seen in acute pancreatitis due to fat necrosis binding calcium in the pancreas.
D. Decreased WBC: WBC count is usually elevated in acute pancreatitis due to the body’s inflammatory response.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Dysphagia: Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) is unrelated to diverticulitis; it is more common in esophageal disorders.
B. Crohn’s disease: Crohn’s disease is a separate chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), not a complication of diverticulitis.
C. Peritonitis: Peritonitis is a life-threatening complication of diverticulitis. If an inflamed diverticulum perforates, stool and bacteria spill into the peritoneal cavity, causing severe abdominal pain, rigidity, fever, and tachycardia.
D. Ulcerative colitis: Ulcerative colitis is another form of IBD, unrelated to diverticulitis.
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