Pancreatitis

Question 1

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What is Pancreatitis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of the pancreas. When enzymes irritate the cells. Repeated bouts can lead to chronic pancreatitis where scar tissue limits function causing digestive problems.

Question 2

Pathophsyiology of Pancreatitis relating to Gallstones

Answer 2

• Gallstones form due to imbalance of bile or excess cholesterol in the gall bladder
• Gallstones block the pancreatic ducts
• The obstruction causes enzymes to be released which breaks down pancreatic tissue causing an inflammatory response

Question 3

Pathophsyiology of Pancreatitis relating to Alcoholism

Answer 3

Alcohol can be a toxin to the pancreatic cells causing an inflammatory response and cellular destruction

Question 4

Risk Factors for Pancreatitis

Answer 4

• Alcoholism
• Smoking
• Obesity
• FH
• Over 70
• Diabetic
• Male
• Increased levels of fat in the blood (hyperlipadaemia)

Question 5

Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatitis

Answer 5

• Upper right quadrant or global abdominal pain
• Dull ache that radiates from abdomen to the back like a band
• Nausea/vomiting

Question 6

Clinical Findings for Pancreatitis

Answer 6

• Global abdominal tenderness
• Blue tinged colouring of the skin on the abdominal right flank
• Bloated abdomen (ascites)
• Hypotension
• Dehydration
• Signs of shock
• History of alcohol abuse or gallstones

Question 7

Inspection Assessment Pancreatitis

Answer 7

• May see jaundice
• Cullen’s and Turners Sign if complication of haemorrhagic
• Protentional abdominal distension
• Signs of dehydration

Question 8

Percussion, Palpation and Ausculation Assessment on Pancreatitis

Answer 8

Palpation:
- Global tenderness could suggest infection
- Tenderness to epigastric/upper left quadrant

Percussion:
- Could be dull due to ascites/fluid

Auscultation:
- Could be normal or reduced in inflammation has caused digestion to slow (called an ileus)

Question 9

Blood Glucose Monitoring in Pancreatitis

Answer 9

Important as if the pancreas has been significantly damaged, may be impaired causing changes in blood sugar especially if patient is diabetic

Question 10

Hospital Management of Pancreatitis

Answer 10

• CT scan
• MRi
• Ultrasound
• Fluids
• Oxygen
• Nutritional Support

Question 11

List of Pancreatitis Differentials

Answer 11

• Bowel Obstruction
• Bowel Perforation
• Cholecystitis
• Renal Colic
• DKA

Question 12

Causes (IGETSMASHED)

Answer 12

I diopathic
G allstones
E thanol
T rauma
S teroids
M icrobiological
A autoimmune
S corpion bite
H ypercalcaemia/hyperglytricerideaemia
E rcp/emoboli
D rugs