COMPLEX TRANSITIONAL NURSING
CARE NURB390 EXAM 3 UPDATED
PRACTICE SOLUTION SET 2026
TESTED QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ The digestive enzymes that the pancreas normally releases are
typically inactive when released and are activated in the small intestine.
In pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas leads to early activation of
enzymes in the pancreas, which causes the pancreas to digest itself.
Lipolysis and necrosis may occur as a result.
Answer: What is the pathophysiology of pancreatitis?
◉ Proteolysis leads to thrombosis and gangrene of pancreas
Answer: What role does proteolysis have in pancreatitis?
◉ Lipase lowers Ca+ levels, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
Answer: What role does lipase have in pancreatitis?
◉ Elastase dissolves elastic fibers and ducts of blood vessels, which
may lead to hemorrhage and hypovolemic shock.
Answer: What role does elastase have in pancreatitis?
◉ -Alcohol use/abuse (especially with chronic pancreatitis)***
-Gallstones
,-Trauma
-Pancreatic obstruction (ie. from cysts, tumors, etc.)
-Metabolic problems (ie. HLD, hyperthyroidism)
-Drugs
Answer: What are possible etiologies of pancreatitis?
◉ -Pain occurs in the LUQ, mid-epigastrum
-Pain radiates to back and is sudden, severe, and continuous
-Pain is aggravated by eating
Answer: What are characteristics of pain caused by pancreatitis?
◉ -Flushing, fever
-Cyanosis, dyspnea
-Ileus (and decreased bowel sounds as a result)
-Crackles
-Pleural effusions
-Gray Turner's sign (flank bruising/bleeding) and Cullen's sign
(umbilical bruising) --> signs of retroperitoneal bleeding
-Shock (hypovolemic or septic) --> decreased BP and increased HR
-Jaundice (r/t bile duct obstruction)
-Hyperglycemia
-Increased vascular permeability --> tachypnea and hypoxia
-Steatorrhea if chronic
,Answer: What are other clinical cues for pancreatitis?
◉ -Increased amylase and lipase
-Increased WBCs, ESR, glucose, and lipids
-Increased liver enzymes (alkaline phosphatase) and bilirubin if there's
bile duct issues
-Decreased Ca+
Answer: What labs may indicate acute pancreatitis?
◉ -Trousseau's sign (arm twitching)
-Chvostek's sign (facial twitching)
-Muscle spasms
-Increased deep tendon reflexes
Answer: What are s/s of HYPOcalcemia?
◉ -Ultrasound
-CT with contrast
-ERCP
Answer: What are diagnostics for acute pancreatitis?
◉ -Morphine
-Put patient side lying with knees flexed
-Increase the HOB
, Answer: What are interventions for pain relief with acute pancreatitis?
◉ -Administer IVFs
-Administer albumin
-Give meds to manage hypotension
-Monitor hemodynamics
Answer: What are interventions for preventing and treating shock that
may occur with acute pancreatitis?
◉ -Place patient on NPO status
-Place an NG tube for the patient if an ileus has developed
Answer: How are pancreatic secretions reduced with acute pancreatitis?
◉ -NPO status, then enteral/parenteral nutrition
-Small and frequent high carb meals
-No alcohol
Answer: What is nutrition like for a patient with acute pancreatitis?
◉ -H2 blockers (ie. Pepcid) or PPIs to reduce stomach acid
-Antibiotics if necrotizing pancreatitis occurs
-Antiemetics (ie. Zofran) for N/V
-Insulin for hyperglycemia
Answer: What are some medications that can be given for patients with
acute pancreatitis?
CARE NURB390 EXAM 3 UPDATED
PRACTICE SOLUTION SET 2026
TESTED QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ The digestive enzymes that the pancreas normally releases are
typically inactive when released and are activated in the small intestine.
In pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas leads to early activation of
enzymes in the pancreas, which causes the pancreas to digest itself.
Lipolysis and necrosis may occur as a result.
Answer: What is the pathophysiology of pancreatitis?
◉ Proteolysis leads to thrombosis and gangrene of pancreas
Answer: What role does proteolysis have in pancreatitis?
◉ Lipase lowers Ca+ levels, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
Answer: What role does lipase have in pancreatitis?
◉ Elastase dissolves elastic fibers and ducts of blood vessels, which
may lead to hemorrhage and hypovolemic shock.
Answer: What role does elastase have in pancreatitis?
◉ -Alcohol use/abuse (especially with chronic pancreatitis)***
-Gallstones
,-Trauma
-Pancreatic obstruction (ie. from cysts, tumors, etc.)
-Metabolic problems (ie. HLD, hyperthyroidism)
-Drugs
Answer: What are possible etiologies of pancreatitis?
◉ -Pain occurs in the LUQ, mid-epigastrum
-Pain radiates to back and is sudden, severe, and continuous
-Pain is aggravated by eating
Answer: What are characteristics of pain caused by pancreatitis?
◉ -Flushing, fever
-Cyanosis, dyspnea
-Ileus (and decreased bowel sounds as a result)
-Crackles
-Pleural effusions
-Gray Turner's sign (flank bruising/bleeding) and Cullen's sign
(umbilical bruising) --> signs of retroperitoneal bleeding
-Shock (hypovolemic or septic) --> decreased BP and increased HR
-Jaundice (r/t bile duct obstruction)
-Hyperglycemia
-Increased vascular permeability --> tachypnea and hypoxia
-Steatorrhea if chronic
,Answer: What are other clinical cues for pancreatitis?
◉ -Increased amylase and lipase
-Increased WBCs, ESR, glucose, and lipids
-Increased liver enzymes (alkaline phosphatase) and bilirubin if there's
bile duct issues
-Decreased Ca+
Answer: What labs may indicate acute pancreatitis?
◉ -Trousseau's sign (arm twitching)
-Chvostek's sign (facial twitching)
-Muscle spasms
-Increased deep tendon reflexes
Answer: What are s/s of HYPOcalcemia?
◉ -Ultrasound
-CT with contrast
-ERCP
Answer: What are diagnostics for acute pancreatitis?
◉ -Morphine
-Put patient side lying with knees flexed
-Increase the HOB
, Answer: What are interventions for pain relief with acute pancreatitis?
◉ -Administer IVFs
-Administer albumin
-Give meds to manage hypotension
-Monitor hemodynamics
Answer: What are interventions for preventing and treating shock that
may occur with acute pancreatitis?
◉ -Place patient on NPO status
-Place an NG tube for the patient if an ileus has developed
Answer: How are pancreatic secretions reduced with acute pancreatitis?
◉ -NPO status, then enteral/parenteral nutrition
-Small and frequent high carb meals
-No alcohol
Answer: What is nutrition like for a patient with acute pancreatitis?
◉ -H2 blockers (ie. Pepcid) or PPIs to reduce stomach acid
-Antibiotics if necrotizing pancreatitis occurs
-Antiemetics (ie. Zofran) for N/V
-Insulin for hyperglycemia
Answer: What are some medications that can be given for patients with
acute pancreatitis?
