Nursing 354 Pancreatic Disorders
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
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Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
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1. A client with acute pancreatitis is admitted with severe epigastric pain
radiating to the back. Which assessment finding is most concerning?
A. Nausea and vomiting
B. Abdominal tenderness
C. Hypotension and tachycardia
D. Decreased appetite
Answer: C. Hypotension and tachycardia
Rationale: Hypotension and tachycardia can indicate hypovolemia and
developing shock. Acute pancreatitis can cause significant third-spacing of fluid
and systemic inflammatory complications.
2. Which laboratory value is most specific for acute pancreatitis?
A. Aspartate aminotransferase
B. Serum lipase
,C. Alkaline phosphatase
D. Total bilirubin
Answer: B. Serum lipase
Rationale: Serum lipase is more specific for pancreatic injury than amylase and
generally remains elevated longer during acute pancreatitis.
3. A client with acute pancreatitis reports severe abdominal pain. Which
position may provide the greatest comfort?
A. Supine with legs extended
B. High-Fowler's with the abdomen stretched
C. Side-lying with knees flexed
D. Prone with legs extended
Answer: C. Side-lying with knees flexed
Rationale: Flexing the knees and assuming a side-lying or forward-leaning
position may decrease abdominal tension and pancreatic discomfort.
4. Which history places a client at increased risk for acute pancreatitis?
A. Seasonal allergies
B. Gallstones
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Iron-deficiency anemia
Answer: B. Gallstones
Rationale: Gallstones are a major cause of acute pancreatitis because
obstruction of the pancreatic or common bile duct can trigger pancreatic
inflammation.
5. Which assessment finding is commonly associated with acute pancreatitis?
,A. Severe epigastric pain radiating to the back
B. Painless jaundice only
C. Right lower-quadrant pain
D. Bradycardia with hypertension
Answer: A. Severe epigastric pain radiating to the back
Rationale: Severe, persistent epigastric pain that may radiate to the back is a
classic manifestation of acute pancreatitis.
6. What is the primary purpose of keeping a client with severe acute pancreatitis
NPO initially?
A. Prevent constipation
B. Reduce pancreatic stimulation
C. Prevent gastrointestinal bleeding
D. Increase gastric motility
Answer: B. Reduce pancreatic stimulation
Rationale: Limiting oral intake during severe acute pancreatitis can reduce
stimulation of pancreatic secretions while the pancreas recovers.
7. Which complication should the nurse monitor for most closely in severe acute
pancreatitis?
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Respiratory failure
C. Cataracts
D. Hearing loss
Answer: B. Respiratory failure
Rationale: Severe pancreatitis can produce systemic inflammation, pulmonary
edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and respiratory failure.
, 8. A client with pancreatitis develops a bluish discoloration around the
umbilicus. What does this finding suggest?
A. Cullen sign
B. Murphy sign
C. Kernig sign
D. Babinski sign
Answer: A. Cullen sign
Rationale: Cullen sign is periumbilical discoloration associated with intra-
abdominal or retroperitoneal bleeding and can occur in severe pancreatitis.
9. Which finding is associated with Grey Turner sign?
A. Bruising around the eyes
B. Flank discoloration
C. Perioral cyanosis
D. Neck swelling
Answer: B. Flank discoloration
Rationale: Grey Turner sign refers to flank ecchymosis and may indicate
retroperitoneal bleeding associated with severe pancreatitis.
10. Which electrolyte imbalance can occur with acute pancreatitis?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypernatremia only
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B. Hypocalcemia
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
1. A client with acute pancreatitis is admitted with severe epigastric pain
radiating to the back. Which assessment finding is most concerning?
A. Nausea and vomiting
B. Abdominal tenderness
C. Hypotension and tachycardia
D. Decreased appetite
Answer: C. Hypotension and tachycardia
Rationale: Hypotension and tachycardia can indicate hypovolemia and
developing shock. Acute pancreatitis can cause significant third-spacing of fluid
and systemic inflammatory complications.
2. Which laboratory value is most specific for acute pancreatitis?
A. Aspartate aminotransferase
B. Serum lipase
,C. Alkaline phosphatase
D. Total bilirubin
Answer: B. Serum lipase
Rationale: Serum lipase is more specific for pancreatic injury than amylase and
generally remains elevated longer during acute pancreatitis.
3. A client with acute pancreatitis reports severe abdominal pain. Which
position may provide the greatest comfort?
A. Supine with legs extended
B. High-Fowler's with the abdomen stretched
C. Side-lying with knees flexed
D. Prone with legs extended
Answer: C. Side-lying with knees flexed
Rationale: Flexing the knees and assuming a side-lying or forward-leaning
position may decrease abdominal tension and pancreatic discomfort.
4. Which history places a client at increased risk for acute pancreatitis?
A. Seasonal allergies
B. Gallstones
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Iron-deficiency anemia
Answer: B. Gallstones
Rationale: Gallstones are a major cause of acute pancreatitis because
obstruction of the pancreatic or common bile duct can trigger pancreatic
inflammation.
5. Which assessment finding is commonly associated with acute pancreatitis?
,A. Severe epigastric pain radiating to the back
B. Painless jaundice only
C. Right lower-quadrant pain
D. Bradycardia with hypertension
Answer: A. Severe epigastric pain radiating to the back
Rationale: Severe, persistent epigastric pain that may radiate to the back is a
classic manifestation of acute pancreatitis.
6. What is the primary purpose of keeping a client with severe acute pancreatitis
NPO initially?
A. Prevent constipation
B. Reduce pancreatic stimulation
C. Prevent gastrointestinal bleeding
D. Increase gastric motility
Answer: B. Reduce pancreatic stimulation
Rationale: Limiting oral intake during severe acute pancreatitis can reduce
stimulation of pancreatic secretions while the pancreas recovers.
7. Which complication should the nurse monitor for most closely in severe acute
pancreatitis?
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Respiratory failure
C. Cataracts
D. Hearing loss
Answer: B. Respiratory failure
Rationale: Severe pancreatitis can produce systemic inflammation, pulmonary
edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and respiratory failure.
, 8. A client with pancreatitis develops a bluish discoloration around the
umbilicus. What does this finding suggest?
A. Cullen sign
B. Murphy sign
C. Kernig sign
D. Babinski sign
Answer: A. Cullen sign
Rationale: Cullen sign is periumbilical discoloration associated with intra-
abdominal or retroperitoneal bleeding and can occur in severe pancreatitis.
9. Which finding is associated with Grey Turner sign?
A. Bruising around the eyes
B. Flank discoloration
C. Perioral cyanosis
D. Neck swelling
Answer: B. Flank discoloration
Rationale: Grey Turner sign refers to flank ecchymosis and may indicate
retroperitoneal bleeding associated with severe pancreatitis.
10. Which electrolyte imbalance can occur with acute pancreatitis?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypernatremia only
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B. Hypocalcemia
