Critical Care Exam 2 Study Guide: Nursing Practice Questions & Answers

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Critical Care Study (CCS) Exam 4 – | Comprehensive

Multiple Choice Questions with Correct Answers | A+

Score Material

What is acute pancreatitis? ......ANSWER........inflammation of the

pancreas caused by digestive enzymes being activated but not

being released. dysfunction of the ACINAR cells. this leads to an

inflammatory response that causes Increased permeability:

causing hemorrhage, edema, and necrosis

What are the three functions of the pancreas?

......ANSWER........ENDOCRINE (secrete insulin + glucagon to

stabilize glucose balance), EXOCRINE (produce digestive

enzymes which helps break down food), and DIGESTIVE

(protease, lipase, amylase)

acute pancreatitis s/s ......ANSWER........sudden onset of LUQ

Abdominal and back pain, distention, guarding, N/V, fever,

Anorexia, Ascites, Jaundice

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Cullen's sign ......ANSWER........ecchymosis in smbilical area, seen

with pancreatitis

turner's s ......ANSWER........flank grayish blue (turn around to see

your flanks) pancreatitis

What labs can be drawn to help diagnose acute pancreatitis?

......ANSWER........lipase, amylase, calcium ALT/AST, WBC,

glucose, potassium, cholesterol + triglycerides

lipase in acute pancreatic ......ANSWER........Breaks down fat.

rises within 12 hours of onset normal is 0-160. more specific to

the pancreas.

amylase in acute pancreatitis ......ANSWER........#1 indicator:

breaks down carbs. rises within 4-8 hours of onset normal is 30-

110

LOOK FOR ELEVATION 3 TIMES THE NORMAL LIMIT

calcium in acute pancreatitis ......ANSWER........low with fat

necrosis

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ALT/AST in acute pancreatitis ......ANSWER........elevated with

gallstones

alkaline phosphate in acute pancreatitis

.....ANSWER........elevated with biliary disease

WBC in acute pancreatitis ......ANSWER........increased due to

inflammation and infection

glucose in acute pancreatitis ......ANSWER........elevated with islet

cell damage

potassium in acute pancreatitis ......ANSWER........low with severe

vomiting, high with acute renal failure

What scans can be done to diagnose acute pancreatitis?

......ANSWER........CT scan + x-ray + ultrasound

why do we use a CT scan in acute pancreatitis?

......ANSWER........can assess for severe cases of pancreatitis

-pseudocyst

-ascites