Question

To monitor a patient with severe acute pancreatitis for the early organ damage associated with MODS, the most important assessments for the nurse to make are

a. stool guaiac and bowel sounds.
b. lung sounds and oxygenation status.
c. serum creatinine and urinary output.
d. serum bilirubin levels and skin color.

Answer 1

When monitoring a patient with severe acute pancreatitis for early organ damage associated with MODS, assessing lung sounds and oxygenation status is most important to detect potential respiratory failure.

Step-by-step explanation:

To monitor a patient with severe acute pancreatitis for the early organ damage associated with Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS), the most important assessments a nurse should make are b. lung sounds and oxygenation status. This is because acute pancreatitis can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and monitoring lung function is crucial for detecting early signs of respiratory failure, which is a common complication in MODS. While other assessments like checking for jaundice or pancreatic enzymes are important, lung function and oxygenation are the most immediate concerns in the context of acute pancreatitis and potential multi-organ involvement.