Question

Nursing management of the patient with acute pancreatitis includes (select all that apply)

a. Checking for signs of hypocalcemia.
b. Providing a diet low in carbohydrates.
c. Giving insulin based on a sliding scale.
d. Observing stools for signs of steatorrhea.
e. Monitoring for infection, particularly respiratory tract infection. (Lewis 1042)

Answer 1

The nursing management of the patient with acute pancreatitis includes checking for signs of hypocalcemia, observing stools for signs of steatorrhea, and monitoring for infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nursing management of the patient with acute pancreatitis includes:

a. Checking for signs of hypocalcemia. This is important because low levels of calcium can occur in acute pancreatitis due to the release of calcium from damaged pancreatic cells.

d. Observing stools for signs of steatorrhea. Steatorrhea, which is the presence of fatty, pale, and foul-smelling stools, can occur in acute pancreatitis due to impaired fat digestion.

e. Monitoring for infection, particularly respiratory tract infection. Infection is a common complication of acute pancreatitis, and respiratory tract infection can occur due to the presence of pancreatic enzymes in the lungs.