CDM Exam 3
Pancreatitis - ANS -Inflammation of the pancreas
-Can lead to digestion of the pancreas by its own enzymes and/or irreversible structural damage
to the organ (exocrine enzymes get activated within the pancreas)
Endocrine Function of Pancreas - ANS -Islet of Langerhans cells produce insulin, glucagon,
somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide (all play a role in metabolism of nutrients and
balancing blood sugar)
Exocrine Function of Pancreas - ANS -1) Acinar cells secrete digestive enzymes:
-amylase: breaks down carbs to glucose
-protease: breaks down proteins to amino acids
-lipase: breaks down fat
2) Enzymes are not activated until they enter the duodenum where a change occurs with
stomach acid
SxS of Acute Pancreatitis - ANS -1) *Abdominal Pain*:
-Sudden, very painful mid-epigastric pain or left upper quadrant which can be felt in the back as
well due to the location of the pancreas
-Worse when lying flat (WHY? Due to the location of the pancreas and how it is behind the
peritoneum. When the pancreas is inflamed and the person lies flat, this pulls the peritoneum
tighter over the pancreas and causes increased pain)
3) May report the pain started after consuming greasy/high fat meal or alcohol
4) *Fever, increased HR, decreased BP*
5) N/V
6) Hyperglycemia
7) *Increased amylase and lipase*
Cullen's and Grey-Turner's Sign - ANS -1) *Seen with SEVERE cases of acute pancreatitis*
2) What causes Cullen's and Grey-Turner's Sign?
-They *represent retroperitoneal bleeding* from the leakage of digestive enzymes into the
surrounding tissues which is causing bleeding and it is leaking down into the flanks and
umbilicus
3) *Cullen's Sign: bluish coloration around the belly button* (look at RR, BP, HR)
4) *Grey-Turner's Sign: bluish discoloration on the flanks*
Most common symptom of acute pancreaitis? - ANS -*Sudden onset of sharp, twisting, deep,
upper abdominal pain*
-frequently radiates to the back and is associated with nausea and vomiting
, What is the most common type of pancreatitis? - ANS -1) Mild acute pancreatitis (also called
interstitial or edematous pancreatitis)
-Occurs when areas of fat necrosis and interstitial edema develop in and around the pancreas
(the peripancreatic tissues)
Moderately Severe Acute Pancreatitis - ANS -Described as transient organ failure or local or
systemic complications
SxS of Chronic Pancreatitis - ANS -1) Abdominal pain:
-Chronic epigastric pain that is persistent (can have no pain because the pancreas is not
producing enzymes because of the extent of the damage)
2) Pain:
-Becomes worse after drinking alcohol or eating a greasy/fatty meal
3) May have a mass and swelling in abdomen due to pseudocyst formation on the pancreas
4) Diarrhea with stool that is called Steatorrhea (oily/fatty stools due to the lack of pancreatic
enzymes to help digest fats)
5) Weight loss: because no enzymes to help digest the food
6) SxS of Jaundice: yellowing of skin and eyes...damage to the common bile duct which helps
remove bile from the liver so the bile builds up
7) Dark urine: due to the excessive bile in the body
8) SxS of Diabetes Mellitus: the pancreas' islet of Langerhans that secrete insulin are NOT
working
Types of Pancreatitis - ANS -1) Acute
2) Chronic
Types of Acute Pancreatitis - ANS -1) Interstitial edematous pancreatitis: acute inflammation
without necrosis
2) Necrotizing pancreatitis with pancreatic or peripancreatic tissue necrosis
*Acute Pancreatitis* - ANS -1) Patho:
-Due to something that has triggered the digestive enzymes to become activated inside the
organ
-Pancreas starts to digest itself and swell. As the pancreas digests itself, the tissue dies and
cysts or abscesses can form out of the dead tissue (which can rupture or hemorrhage)
2) Comes on quickly and if treated promptly it can be reversed
3) Can be fatal
4) Can lead to chronic pancreatitis if not reversed
5) *Most common causes are gallstones and high amount of alcohol consumption*
Chronic Pancreatitis - ANS -1) *Main cause is heavy-long term alcohol consumption*
-Recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis from alcohol consumption leads to the damage of the
pancreatic ducts/acinar cells and this can lead to scar tissue to form
Pancreatitis - ANS -Inflammation of the pancreas
-Can lead to digestion of the pancreas by its own enzymes and/or irreversible structural damage
to the organ (exocrine enzymes get activated within the pancreas)
Endocrine Function of Pancreas - ANS -Islet of Langerhans cells produce insulin, glucagon,
somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide (all play a role in metabolism of nutrients and
balancing blood sugar)
Exocrine Function of Pancreas - ANS -1) Acinar cells secrete digestive enzymes:
-amylase: breaks down carbs to glucose
-protease: breaks down proteins to amino acids
-lipase: breaks down fat
2) Enzymes are not activated until they enter the duodenum where a change occurs with
stomach acid
SxS of Acute Pancreatitis - ANS -1) *Abdominal Pain*:
-Sudden, very painful mid-epigastric pain or left upper quadrant which can be felt in the back as
well due to the location of the pancreas
-Worse when lying flat (WHY? Due to the location of the pancreas and how it is behind the
peritoneum. When the pancreas is inflamed and the person lies flat, this pulls the peritoneum
tighter over the pancreas and causes increased pain)
3) May report the pain started after consuming greasy/high fat meal or alcohol
4) *Fever, increased HR, decreased BP*
5) N/V
6) Hyperglycemia
7) *Increased amylase and lipase*
Cullen's and Grey-Turner's Sign - ANS -1) *Seen with SEVERE cases of acute pancreatitis*
2) What causes Cullen's and Grey-Turner's Sign?
-They *represent retroperitoneal bleeding* from the leakage of digestive enzymes into the
surrounding tissues which is causing bleeding and it is leaking down into the flanks and
umbilicus
3) *Cullen's Sign: bluish coloration around the belly button* (look at RR, BP, HR)
4) *Grey-Turner's Sign: bluish discoloration on the flanks*
Most common symptom of acute pancreaitis? - ANS -*Sudden onset of sharp, twisting, deep,
upper abdominal pain*
-frequently radiates to the back and is associated with nausea and vomiting
, What is the most common type of pancreatitis? - ANS -1) Mild acute pancreatitis (also called
interstitial or edematous pancreatitis)
-Occurs when areas of fat necrosis and interstitial edema develop in and around the pancreas
(the peripancreatic tissues)
Moderately Severe Acute Pancreatitis - ANS -Described as transient organ failure or local or
systemic complications
SxS of Chronic Pancreatitis - ANS -1) Abdominal pain:
-Chronic epigastric pain that is persistent (can have no pain because the pancreas is not
producing enzymes because of the extent of the damage)
2) Pain:
-Becomes worse after drinking alcohol or eating a greasy/fatty meal
3) May have a mass and swelling in abdomen due to pseudocyst formation on the pancreas
4) Diarrhea with stool that is called Steatorrhea (oily/fatty stools due to the lack of pancreatic
enzymes to help digest fats)
5) Weight loss: because no enzymes to help digest the food
6) SxS of Jaundice: yellowing of skin and eyes...damage to the common bile duct which helps
remove bile from the liver so the bile builds up
7) Dark urine: due to the excessive bile in the body
8) SxS of Diabetes Mellitus: the pancreas' islet of Langerhans that secrete insulin are NOT
working
Types of Pancreatitis - ANS -1) Acute
2) Chronic
Types of Acute Pancreatitis - ANS -1) Interstitial edematous pancreatitis: acute inflammation
without necrosis
2) Necrotizing pancreatitis with pancreatic or peripancreatic tissue necrosis
*Acute Pancreatitis* - ANS -1) Patho:
-Due to something that has triggered the digestive enzymes to become activated inside the
organ
-Pancreas starts to digest itself and swell. As the pancreas digests itself, the tissue dies and
cysts or abscesses can form out of the dead tissue (which can rupture or hemorrhage)
2) Comes on quickly and if treated promptly it can be reversed
3) Can be fatal
4) Can lead to chronic pancreatitis if not reversed
5) *Most common causes are gallstones and high amount of alcohol consumption*
Chronic Pancreatitis - ANS -1) *Main cause is heavy-long term alcohol consumption*
-Recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis from alcohol consumption leads to the damage of the
pancreatic ducts/acinar cells and this can lead to scar tissue to form
