This NCLEX review will discuss pancreatitis (acute and chronic). As a nursing student, you must be familiar with acute and chronic pancreatitis and how to care for patients who are experiencing these conditions. These type of questions may be found on NCLEX and definitely on nursing lecture exams. Don’t
forget to take the pancreatitis quiz. You will learn the following from this NCLEX review: What is Pancreatitis? Inflammation of the pancreas that can lead
to digestion of the pancreas by its own enzymes and/or irreversible structural damage to the organ. Two types of Pancreatitis: Acute and Chronic Function of the Pancreas: Where is it located in the body? It is found in the upper abdomen behind the stomach and next to the duodenum. Inside the pancreas are special cells that secrete enzymes (acinar) and hormones (islets of Langerhans). These cells perform exocrine and endocrine functions. Endocrine Function: The endocrine cells called Islet of Langerhans cells produce insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide (all play a role in metabolism of nutrients and balancing blood sugar). These substances enter the blood stream via a network of blood vessels surrounding the pancreas. Exocrine Function: Another type of cells are called Acinar cells which secrete digestive enzymes into the pancreatic ducts which flow through the ampulla of vater (this is where the pancreatic duct and common bile duct form together) into the duodenum via the major duodenal papilla (also called the papilla of vater) which is surround by the sphincter of Oddi (which is a muscular valve that controls the release of digestive enzymes and prevents reflux of stomach contents into the pancreas and bile duct). The enzymes secreted by the Acinar cells include:
***NOTE: while the digestive enzymes are in the pancreas they are not activated until they enter the duodenum where a biochemical change occurs with the assistance of stomach acid. Another substance that enters through the ampulla of vater is bile which is from the gallbladder via the common bile duct. The bile will aid in digestion by increasing the absorption of fats. In addition, lining the small pancreatic ducts are epithelial cells which secrete bicarbonate. When inflammation of the pancreas occurs the organs can’t deliver enzymes and hormones properly. The pancreas swells and leaks digestive enzymes. So, the patient can experience the following (depending on the severity):
Key Points about the Two Types of Pancreatitis:Acute Pancreatitis: Sudden inflammation of the pancreas due to something that has triggered the digestive enzymes to become activated inside the organ (there will be a high amylase and lipase level in the blood). The pancreas starts to digest itself and swell. As the pancreas digests itself, the tissue dies and cysts or abscesses can form out of the dead tissue (which can rupture or hemorrhage). In addition, due to the location of the pancreas and how it surrounds the other organs the inflammation and activated digestive enzymes can spread to other organs and damage vessels/organs (ex: lungs) which can lead to internal bleeding, respiratory distress etc. It comes on quickly and if treated promptly it can be reversed. Typically there is limited structural damage to the pancreas because it can be reversed with proper treatment (not the case with chronic pancreatitis). It can be fatal (can easily lead to chronic pancreatitis) and can last for several days. Most common causes are gallstones and high amount of alcohol consumption. Chronic Pancreatitis: Chronic inflammation of the pancreas (can be from repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis but most commonly due to years of alcohol abuse) that has led to irreversible damage to the structure of pancreas which may lead to:
More in-depth look at the Main Causes of Pancreatitis:Acute pancreatitis: Main causes gallstones and high alcohol consumption What are Gallstones? Gallstones are hardened deposits of undissolved cholesterol, salts, or bilirubin that can block the bile duct which will cause pancreatic juices to build up in the pancreas (remember the bile duct and pancreatic duct share the ampulla of vater so bile and enzymes can flow via the papilla of vater into the duodenum). If a blockage presents it can increase pressure in the pancreatic ducts which can activate the digestive enzymes….hence leading to pancreatitis. Photo Credits: Alila Medical Media/Shutterstock.comHigh Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol damages the cells of the pancreas specifically the acinar cells along with duct cells (remember they produce bicarbonate and fluids), and that can lead to pancreatic duct occlusion due to the thickening of the fluid that lines the pancreatic ducts and this can lead to the activation of the enzyme cells inside the pancreas. other causes infection, tumor, medications, trauma Chronic pancreatitis: Main cause is heavy-long term alcohol consumption Recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis from alcohol consumption leads to the damage of the pancreatic ducts/acinar cells and this can lead to scar tissue to form. The chronic inflammation of pancreatitis slowly destroys the pancreas overtime (patient needs to avoid alcohol completely). Another cause: Cystic fibrosis: Patients with this condition are lacking the protein CFTR. This plays a role in the movement of chloride ions to help balance salt and water in the epithelial cells that line the ducts of the pancreas. Due to the lack of this protein, there is a decreased production of bicarbonate secretion by the epithelial cells. Therefore, this causes thick mucus in the pancreatic ducts that leads to blockage of the pancreatic ducts and the enzymes activate and damage the pancreas. Overtime, the pancreas experiences fibrosis of the pancreas’ tissue and no longer produces digestive enzyme to help with food digestion. The patient will need supplements of pancreatic digestive enzymes. other causes: hypercalcemia, hyperlipidemia etc. How is Pancreatitis Diagnosed?
Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatitis**signs and symptoms can differ between acute vs chronic Acute Pancreatitis:
Chronic Pancreatitis
Nursing Interventions for PancreatitisGoal: rest the pancreas (prevent it from being stimulated to produce digestive enzymes), control pain, monitor for complications, administer medications per MD order (pancreatic enzymes, antibiotics and stomach acid blockers), diet education
More NCLEX Reviews References:
What are the major complications associated with acute pancreatitis?Pancreatitis can cause serious complications, including:. Kidney failure. Acute pancreatitis may cause kidney failure, which can be treated with dialysis if the kidney failure is severe and persistent.. Breathing problems. ... . Infection. ... . Pseudocyst. ... . Malnutrition. ... . Diabetes. ... . Pancreatic cancer.. Which is the most important to the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis?— Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most important imaging procedures for diagnosing acute pancreatitis and its intraperitoneal complications. — Computed tomography (CT) is also one of the most important imaging procedures for diagnosing acute pancreatitis and its intraabdominal complications.
When managing a patient with acute pancreatitis The first priority is?Patients with acute pancreatitis lose a large amount of fluids to third spacing into the retroperitoneum and intra-abdominal areas. Accordingly, they require prompt intravenous (IV) hydration within the first 24 hours. Especially in the early phase of the illness, aggressive fluid resuscitation is critically important.
Which goal is most important for a client with acute pancreatitis?The goals of treatment of acute pancreatitis are to alleviate pancreatic inflammation and to correct the underlying cause. Treatment usually requires hospitalization for at least a few days.
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