Question

What are the criteria used in Ranson's criteria for the admission of a patient who shows signs of acute pancreatitis with a poor prognosis?

1) Age > 55 years
2) White blood cell count > 16,000/mm³
3) Blood glucose > 200 mg/dL
4) Serum LDH > 350 IU/L
5) AST > 250 IU/L

Answer 1

Ranson's criteria for predicting the prognosis of acute pancreatitis include factors such as age over 55, elevated WBC count, blood glucose, serum LDH, and AST. Additional tests for pancreatitis assessment include liver function tests, CBC, and pancreatic enzyme levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

Ranson's criteria are used to assess the severity and prognosis of acute pancreatitis upon admission. The criteria that indicate a poor prognosis include: 1) Age greater than 55 years; 2) White blood cell count (WBC) higher than 16,000/mm³; 3) Blood glucose levels over 200 mg/dL; 4) Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) above 350 IU/L; and 5) Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) higher than 250 IU/L.

These criteria, along with liver function tests (LFTs), complete blood count (CBC), and levels of pancreatic enzymes such as amylase and lipase, help clinicians determine the severity of pancreatitis. A high white blood cell count might indicate infection, while elevated levels of amylase or lipase suggest pancreatic inflammation. Diagnostic tools like ultrasound can further assess the condition of the gallbladder and pancreas.