(^316) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified
INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS
- Elevated serum amylase.
- Elevated serum lipase.
- Elevated white blood cell count (WBC) due to inflammation.
- Elevated cholesterol.
- Elevated glucose due to labile effect on glucose control.
- Elevated bilirubin.
- CT scan shows inflammation.
- Chest x-ray may show pleural effusion.
TREATMENT
- NPO during acute stage to reduce release of pancreatic enzymes.
- Intravenous fluids for hydration.
- Total parenteral nutrition.
- Administer vitamin supplementation.
- Pain management with narcotics during acute stage.
- Avoid morphine that may increase pain due to spasm of the sphincter of Oddi
at the opening to the small intestine from the common bile duct. - Intravenous, patient-controlled analgesia or transdermal delivery preferable
to intramuscular. - Acute:
- NG tube connected to suction if vomiting.
- Surgical intervention for abscess or pseudocyst.
- Chronic:
- Blood glucose control with insulin.
- Administer pancreatic enzymes with meals.
- Surgical intervention for pain control, abscess.
NURSING DIAGNOSES
- Acute pain
- Imbalanced nutrition: less than what body requires