1. Pancreatitis
Marnelle Joy S. Pulmano, BSN, RN

2. OVERVIEW

4. Definition
• Inflammation of the pancreas caused by
activation of pancreatic enzymes within the
pancreas
• Pancreatic enzymes digest the pancreas itself

5. Incidence
• Affects about 80,000 people annually in the
US

6. Onset
• Acute pancreatitis:
– Comes on suddenly and without warning
• Chronic pancreatitis:
– Develops gradually
– Usually over many years
– Symptoms are initially vague and difficult to
diagnose

7. Etiology
• Most common causes:
– Gallstones
– Excessive alcohol intake
• Acute pancreatitis becomes chronic once
pancreatic tissue is destroyed and scarring
develops

8. • Other causes:
– Hyperlipidemia
– Hypercalcemia
– Abdominal trauma
– Bacterial infection
– Viral infection

9. Clinical Findings
• Classic symptom:
– Abdominal pain that radiates toward the back and
increases when supine
• Other symptoms:
– Swollen and tender abdomen that may get worse after
eating
– Nausea
– Vomiting
– Fever
– Tachycardia

10. NURSING FOCUS

11. • Goal of treatment:
– Supportive care
– Prevention of secondary complications
• Assess lab results:
– Elevated levels of serum amylase and serum lipase
• Monitor:
– Glucose, Ca++, Mg++, Na+, K+, bicarbonate levels

12. PATIENT TEACHING

13. • Provide patient and family with literature on
pancreatitis
• Teach patient to avoid alcoholic beverage
• Decrease the consumption of foods high in fat

14. • Provide teaching prior to diagnostic
procedures
– Abdominal ultrasound to look for gallstones
– CT scan to look for inflammation and destruction
of the pancreas
• Explain the dosages, route, actions, and
adverse reactions of meds