disorders of pancreas

Question 1

etiology of acute pancreatitis

Answer 1

middle age, african american
alcohol abuse in men
biliary tract disease in women

Question 2

patho of pancreatitis

Answer 2

pancreatic cells injured –> pancreatic enzymes are activated –> autodigestion –> mild to severe pancreatitis

Question 3

clinical manifestations of acute pancreatitis

Answer 3

left upper quadrant pain or epigastric pain - sudden onset
-may radiate to back, THEY ARE VERY TENDER

n/v, abdominal distention, hypo bowel sounds, fever, hypotension, tachycardia, jaundice
cyanosis
hemorrhage
ecchymoses: flanks (grey turner’s sign) periumbilical (cullen’s sign)

Question 4

acute pancreatitis complications

Answer 4

pseudocyst, abscess, hypotension, pulmonary complications (fluid leaking), tetany from hypocalcemia, increased risk for clotting

Question 5

what is pseudocyst

Answer 5

fluid filled cavity that surrounds the outside of the pancreas
= results in inflammation and scarring of areas near pancreas
palpable epigastric mass

Question 6

what is a pancreatic abcess

Answer 6

a large fluid filled cavity inside the pancreas
abdominal mass, high fever, leukocytosis

Question 7

what is chronic pancreatitis

Answer 7

inflammation in the pancreas that persists over weeks-months

Question 8

what is happening to the pancreas with chronic pancreatitis

Answer 8

destruction of tissue/necrosis
fibrosis (scar tissue)
loss of pancreatic enzymes and insulin

Question 9

clinical manifestations of chronic pancreatitis

Answer 9

attacks of acute with progressive signs
major symptom: chronic pain
DM, malabsorption of fat, weight loss

Question 10

drug for pancreatitis

Answer 10

pancrelipase

Question 11

MOA and implications for pancrelipase

Answer 11

MOA: replacement therapy for pancreatic enzymes (chronic pancreatitis only)
take with every meal and snack