Causes of Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis Is a Inflammation of the pancreas caused by activation of pancreatic enzymes within the pancreas, digesting the pancreas itself.

Incidence: Affects about 80,000 people annually in the U.S.

Onset: Acute pancreatitis comes on suddenly and without warning. Chronic pancreatitis develops gradually, usually over many years, with symptoms that, initially, are vague and difficult to diagnose.

Etiology: Most common causes are gallstones and excessive alcohol intake. Acute pancreatitis becomes chronic once pancreatic tissue is destroyed and scarring develops. Other, less common, causes include hyperlipidemia, hypercalcemia, abdominal trauma, and bacterial or viral infection.

Clinical Findings: A classic symptom of pancreatitis is abdominal pain that radiates toward the back and increases when supine. Other symptoms include a swollen and tender abdomen that may get worse after eating, nausea, vomiting, fever, and tachycardia.

Nursing Focus
■ The goal of treatment is supportive care and the prevention of secondary complications.
■ Assess lab results for elevated levels of serum amylase and serum lipase.
■ Monitor glucose, Ca , Mg , Na , K , and bicarbonate levels.

Patient Teaching
■ Provide Pt and family with literature on pancreatitis.
■ Teach Pt to avoid alcoholic beverages and decrease the consumption of foods high in fat.
■ Provide teaching prior to diagnostic procedures, which include an abdominal ultrasound to look for gallstones and a CT scan to look for inflammation and destruction of the pancreas.
■ Explain the dosages, route, actions, and adverse reactions of meds.