Week 15 BSN 246 Sherpath Final Test
Questions and Answers 2025-2026
Set.
1. The caregiver of a patient with suspected pancreatitis asks the nurse why both serum
amylase and serum lipase tests are being done if they are both enzymes related to the
pancreas. Which explanation by the nurse accurately explains why both are being done?
"The serum amylase and lipase are decreased in acute pancreatitis."
"These tests are always done at the same time to determine severity."
"Serum amylase diagnoses pancreatitis; lipase determines if it is acute or chronic."
"The serum amylase can be high due to other causes, so we also run the serum lipase." -
Answer "The serum amylase can be high due to other causes, so we also run the serum
lipase."
2. Which statement best describes the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis?
Repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis lead to organ dysfunction.
Chronic alcohol consumption and abuse cause autodigestion of the pancreas.
Inflammation activates enzymes, resulting in autodigestion within the pancreas.
Gallstones become lodged in the common bile duct, causing clay-colored stools. - Answer
Inflammation activates enzymes, resulting in autodigestion within the pancreas.
3. The nurse is evaluating a patient in the emergency department for suspected pancreatitis.
Which factors, if present in the patient history or current assessment, would increase the risk
for pancreatitis?
Select all that apply.
History of gallstones
Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Presence of biliary sludge
African American ethnicity
30 pack year history of smoking - Answer History of gallstones
,4. Following teaching, the nurse is evaluating the patient's understanding of the need for both
an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), plus endoscopic sphincterotomy,
and a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Which statement by the patient indicates the need for
further teaching?
"All three procedures take care of the current problem and prevent it from happening again."
"A laparoscopic cholecystectomy visualizes the colon, and the ERCP removes the gallstones."
"An ERCP can visualize the biliary tract, and the endoscopic sphincterotomy cuts muscle layers."
"The procedures work together to remove the gallstones and gallbladder and fix the sphincter
of Oddi. The goal is to alleviate pain." - Answer "A laparoscopic cholecystectomy visualizes the
colon, and the ERCP removes the gallstones."
5. The nurse is reviewing the current prescriptions for a patient with pancreatitis. Following a
recent assessment, the patient was found to have decreased bowel sounds and abdominal
distention. Which current medication order would the nurse question for this patient?
Dopamine
Dicyclomine
Omeprazole
Pancrelipase - Answer Dicyclomine
6. The nurse is awaiting orders for a patient being admitted from the emergency room for
conservative therapy for pancreatitis. The nurse would include which goals in the plan of care
for the newly admitted patient?
Select all that apply.
Skin integrity will remain intact.
Patient will remain free of infection.
Patient will verbalize understanding of NPO status.
Fluid and electrolyte levels are within normal limits.
Patient will rate pain at less than 2 in a 24-hour period.
Patient will limit alcohol consumption to one beer per week. - Answer Patient will remain free
of infection.
Patient will verbalize understanding of NPO status.
, 7. Which assessment finding would demonstrate the efficacy of pancreatic enzyme
replacement?
No evidence of steatorrhea
Green-colored bowel movements
Amylase and lipase within normal range
Fasting blood glucose levels less than 100 mg/dL - Answer No evidence of steatorrhea
8. A patient presents to the primary care provider one week after hospital discharge for an
episode of acute pancreatitis. The patient reports a fever that has lasted for the last few days
and stools have had a "really foul smell" and "appear greasy." A finger stick for blood glucose
indicates a glucose level of 220 mg/dL. Which does the nurse suspect may be occurring?
Atelectasis with pneumonia
Further pancreatic destruction
Pancreatic pseudocyst formation
New onset type 1 diabetes mellitus - Answer Further pancreatic destruction
9. The nurse is caring for a patient with diagnosed acute pancreatitis and notes a recent
elevation in temperature, a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/minute, and a few crackles in the
bases of the lungs. Which actions by the nurse would best address the patient's current
situation?
Select all that apply.
Obtain O2 saturation level
Obtain STAT arterial blood gases (ABGs)
Elevate the bed to semi-Fowler's position
Perform percussion and postural drainage
Instruct patient on incentive spirometry use - Answer Obtain O2 saturation level
Elevate the bed to semi-Fowler's position
Instruct patient on incentive spirometry use
1. Which assessment findings would the nurse expect to find for a patient with diagnosed
Crohn's disease that has developed complications outside the gastrointestinal (GI) tract?
Questions and Answers 2025-2026
Set.
1. The caregiver of a patient with suspected pancreatitis asks the nurse why both serum
amylase and serum lipase tests are being done if they are both enzymes related to the
pancreas. Which explanation by the nurse accurately explains why both are being done?
"The serum amylase and lipase are decreased in acute pancreatitis."
"These tests are always done at the same time to determine severity."
"Serum amylase diagnoses pancreatitis; lipase determines if it is acute or chronic."
"The serum amylase can be high due to other causes, so we also run the serum lipase." -
Answer "The serum amylase can be high due to other causes, so we also run the serum
lipase."
2. Which statement best describes the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis?
Repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis lead to organ dysfunction.
Chronic alcohol consumption and abuse cause autodigestion of the pancreas.
Inflammation activates enzymes, resulting in autodigestion within the pancreas.
Gallstones become lodged in the common bile duct, causing clay-colored stools. - Answer
Inflammation activates enzymes, resulting in autodigestion within the pancreas.
3. The nurse is evaluating a patient in the emergency department for suspected pancreatitis.
Which factors, if present in the patient history or current assessment, would increase the risk
for pancreatitis?
Select all that apply.
History of gallstones
Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Presence of biliary sludge
African American ethnicity
30 pack year history of smoking - Answer History of gallstones
,4. Following teaching, the nurse is evaluating the patient's understanding of the need for both
an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), plus endoscopic sphincterotomy,
and a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Which statement by the patient indicates the need for
further teaching?
"All three procedures take care of the current problem and prevent it from happening again."
"A laparoscopic cholecystectomy visualizes the colon, and the ERCP removes the gallstones."
"An ERCP can visualize the biliary tract, and the endoscopic sphincterotomy cuts muscle layers."
"The procedures work together to remove the gallstones and gallbladder and fix the sphincter
of Oddi. The goal is to alleviate pain." - Answer "A laparoscopic cholecystectomy visualizes the
colon, and the ERCP removes the gallstones."
5. The nurse is reviewing the current prescriptions for a patient with pancreatitis. Following a
recent assessment, the patient was found to have decreased bowel sounds and abdominal
distention. Which current medication order would the nurse question for this patient?
Dopamine
Dicyclomine
Omeprazole
Pancrelipase - Answer Dicyclomine
6. The nurse is awaiting orders for a patient being admitted from the emergency room for
conservative therapy for pancreatitis. The nurse would include which goals in the plan of care
for the newly admitted patient?
Select all that apply.
Skin integrity will remain intact.
Patient will remain free of infection.
Patient will verbalize understanding of NPO status.
Fluid and electrolyte levels are within normal limits.
Patient will rate pain at less than 2 in a 24-hour period.
Patient will limit alcohol consumption to one beer per week. - Answer Patient will remain free
of infection.
Patient will verbalize understanding of NPO status.
, 7. Which assessment finding would demonstrate the efficacy of pancreatic enzyme
replacement?
No evidence of steatorrhea
Green-colored bowel movements
Amylase and lipase within normal range
Fasting blood glucose levels less than 100 mg/dL - Answer No evidence of steatorrhea
8. A patient presents to the primary care provider one week after hospital discharge for an
episode of acute pancreatitis. The patient reports a fever that has lasted for the last few days
and stools have had a "really foul smell" and "appear greasy." A finger stick for blood glucose
indicates a glucose level of 220 mg/dL. Which does the nurse suspect may be occurring?
Atelectasis with pneumonia
Further pancreatic destruction
Pancreatic pseudocyst formation
New onset type 1 diabetes mellitus - Answer Further pancreatic destruction
9. The nurse is caring for a patient with diagnosed acute pancreatitis and notes a recent
elevation in temperature, a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/minute, and a few crackles in the
bases of the lungs. Which actions by the nurse would best address the patient's current
situation?
Select all that apply.
Obtain O2 saturation level
Obtain STAT arterial blood gases (ABGs)
Elevate the bed to semi-Fowler's position
Perform percussion and postural drainage
Instruct patient on incentive spirometry use - Answer Obtain O2 saturation level
Elevate the bed to semi-Fowler's position
Instruct patient on incentive spirometry use
1. Which assessment findings would the nurse expect to find for a patient with diagnosed
Crohn's disease that has developed complications outside the gastrointestinal (GI) tract?
