ESTUDYR
NCLEX-RN Case Study: Acute Pancreatitis
Client Scenario
0800 Nurses' Notes:
A 45-year-old male with a history of alcohol use disorder and gallstones presents to the
emergency department. He reports "excruciating" epigastric pain that started last night
after a large meal. He describes the pain as boring through to his back. He has vomited
three times and appears restless, rocking back and forth in the bed.
Physical Assessment:
General: Diaphoretic, appearing acutely ill.
Abdominal: Distended, bowel sounds diminished in all quadrants. Severe tenderness
to light palpation in the epigastric region. Bluish discoloration noted around the
umbilicus.
Vital Signs: T 101.2°F (38.4°C), HR 118, BP 102/64, RR 24, SpO2 93% on room air.
Item 1 of 6: Recognizing Cues
Question: Click to highlight the findings that require immediate follow-up by the nurse.
Nurses' Note: > Epigastric pain boring through to his back; vomited three times; distended
abdomen; bluish discoloration noted around the umbilicus; T 101.2°F; HR 118; BP 102/64;
SpO2 93%.
Correct Selections:
✅Boring through to his back (Classic pancreatic pain)
NCLEX-RN Case Study: Acute Pancreatitis
Client Scenario
0800 Nurses' Notes:
A 45-year-old male with a history of alcohol use disorder and gallstones presents to the
emergency department. He reports "excruciating" epigastric pain that started last night
after a large meal. He describes the pain as boring through to his back. He has vomited
three times and appears restless, rocking back and forth in the bed.
Physical Assessment:
General: Diaphoretic, appearing acutely ill.
Abdominal: Distended, bowel sounds diminished in all quadrants. Severe tenderness
to light palpation in the epigastric region. Bluish discoloration noted around the
umbilicus.
Vital Signs: T 101.2°F (38.4°C), HR 118, BP 102/64, RR 24, SpO2 93% on room air.
Item 1 of 6: Recognizing Cues
Question: Click to highlight the findings that require immediate follow-up by the nurse.
Nurses' Note: > Epigastric pain boring through to his back; vomited three times; distended
abdomen; bluish discoloration noted around the umbilicus; T 101.2°F; HR 118; BP 102/64;
SpO2 93%.
Correct Selections:
✅Boring through to his back (Classic pancreatic pain)
