Question

The patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis. The nurse should

a.assess pain level because pancreatic pain is unique in character.
b.examine laboratory values for low amylase levels.
c.expect lipase levels to decrease within 24 hours.
d.evaluate C-reactive protein as a gauge of severity.

Answer 1

In a case of acute pancreatitis, the nurse should assess the patient's pain level, evaluate C-reactive protein for inflammation severity, and examine laboratory values, specifically the increased levels of amylase and lipase in the blood.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient admitted with acute pancreatitis should have a couple of assessments and tests performed by the nurse. The nurse should a. assess pain level as pancreatic pain is unique and severe, often radiating to the back and requiring effective pain management. Additionally, d. evaluating C-reactive protein can be a helpful indicator of the severity of inflammation. b. Examining laboratory values for low amylase levels is not accurate as amylase and lipase levels typically increase during acute pancreatitis. c. Expecting lipase levels to decrease within 24 hours would be unusual as these levels may remain elevated for a longer period of time during and after an acute episode. Diagnostic tests can include blood tests to check levels of amylase, lipase, as well as liver function tests, complete blood count, and imaging tests like ultrasound and CT scans with contrast dye.