1
NU371 HESI Case Study: Pancreatitis Questions with
Answers (100% Correct Answers)
Meet the Client
Ans: A client is admitted to the emergency department (ED) complaining of severe
abdominal and back pain with vomiting for the last 24 hours. The client was diagnosed
with chronic pancreatitis 2 years ago and this is the fourth admission for an acute
exacerbation of pancreatitis.
Assessment
Ans: The nurse is completing the client's Emergency Department (ED) admission
assessment.
To support the admitting diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, what information should
the nurse obtain from the client?
a) History or current use of tobacco products.
b) How often alcohol is consumed and date of last drink.
c) Medication taken in the last 24 hours.
d) Weight loss or gain in the last 6 months.
Ans: b) How often alcohol is consumed and date of last drink.
-
Long-term use of alcohol is commonly associated with the development of chronic
pancreatitis, and alcohol ingestion is the primary cause of an acute exacerbation of
pancreatitis.
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,2
The client shares with the nurse that they have been drinking alcohol every day for
the last few years and admits to drinking a little more than usual last night. The
client also reports smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day for the last 20 years. To further
evaluate the client's condition, the health care provider (HCP) prescribes several
laboratory tests.
Ans: -
Which laboratory data indicates that the client is experiencing acute pancreatitis?
a) Hemoglobin (Hgb) 12.9 g/dL (129 g/L) and hematocrit (HCT) 42% (0.42 Proportion
of 1.0).
b) White blood cell count of 10,000/uL (10 x109/L).
c) Amylase of 982 U/L (16.4 mckat/L) and lipase of 400 U/L (6.68 ukat/L).
d) Blood alcohol (ethanol) level of 75 mg/dL (16.28 mmol/L).
Ans: c) Amylase of 982 U/L (16.4 mckat/L) and lipase of 400 U/L (6.68 ukat/L).
-
Serum amylase and lipase levels can increase to an excess of 3 times their normal upper
limits within 24 hours of an acute exacerbation of pancreatitis. Normal levels are
amylase < 160 U/L (2.67 ukat/L) and lipase < 160 U/L (2.67 ukat/L).
Emergency Department Nursing Interventions
Ans: The ED nurse starts an intravenous (IV) infusion of 5% Dextrose and sodium
chloride 0.45% at 125 mL/hour with a 20 gauge angiocatheter in the client's left
forearm. The client complains of severe abdominal pain rated 9 on a 0-10 numerical
pain scale. The client's abdomen is soft and tender in the upper quadrants. The nurse
notes audible bowel sounds in all 4 quadrants. Click for Image
Which medication should the nurse expect to administer to relieve the client's pain?
a) Ondansetron 0.15 mg IV push diluted and administered over 15 minutes.
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, 3
b) Ranitidine IV piggy back administered over 30 minutes.
c) Morphine 5 mg IV push administered diluted over 5 minutes.
d) Promethazine 25 mg deep intramuscular injection.
Ans: c) Morphine 5 mg IV push administered diluted over 5 minutes.
-
Morphine is considered a first line opioid analgesic and one of the most commonly
prescribed opioids for moderate to severe pain.
The HCP writes admitting prescriptions for the client.
Ans: -
Which diet should the nurse expect the HCP to prescribe for the client?
a) Regular diet.
b) Low-fat diet.
c) Clear-liquid diet.
d) Nothing by mouth.
Ans: d) Nothing by mouth.
-
All oral intake is withheld to inhibit pancreatic stimulation and the secretion of
pancreatic enzymes.
The ED nurse prepares to transfer the client to the medical floor.
Ans: -
Which intervention should the nurse implement prior to transferring the client to
the floor?
© 2025 All rights reserved
NU371 HESI Case Study: Pancreatitis Questions with
Answers (100% Correct Answers)
Meet the Client
Ans: A client is admitted to the emergency department (ED) complaining of severe
abdominal and back pain with vomiting for the last 24 hours. The client was diagnosed
with chronic pancreatitis 2 years ago and this is the fourth admission for an acute
exacerbation of pancreatitis.
Assessment
Ans: The nurse is completing the client's Emergency Department (ED) admission
assessment.
To support the admitting diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, what information should
the nurse obtain from the client?
a) History or current use of tobacco products.
b) How often alcohol is consumed and date of last drink.
c) Medication taken in the last 24 hours.
d) Weight loss or gain in the last 6 months.
Ans: b) How often alcohol is consumed and date of last drink.
-
Long-term use of alcohol is commonly associated with the development of chronic
pancreatitis, and alcohol ingestion is the primary cause of an acute exacerbation of
pancreatitis.
© 2025 All rights reserved
,2
The client shares with the nurse that they have been drinking alcohol every day for
the last few years and admits to drinking a little more than usual last night. The
client also reports smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day for the last 20 years. To further
evaluate the client's condition, the health care provider (HCP) prescribes several
laboratory tests.
Ans: -
Which laboratory data indicates that the client is experiencing acute pancreatitis?
a) Hemoglobin (Hgb) 12.9 g/dL (129 g/L) and hematocrit (HCT) 42% (0.42 Proportion
of 1.0).
b) White blood cell count of 10,000/uL (10 x109/L).
c) Amylase of 982 U/L (16.4 mckat/L) and lipase of 400 U/L (6.68 ukat/L).
d) Blood alcohol (ethanol) level of 75 mg/dL (16.28 mmol/L).
Ans: c) Amylase of 982 U/L (16.4 mckat/L) and lipase of 400 U/L (6.68 ukat/L).
-
Serum amylase and lipase levels can increase to an excess of 3 times their normal upper
limits within 24 hours of an acute exacerbation of pancreatitis. Normal levels are
amylase < 160 U/L (2.67 ukat/L) and lipase < 160 U/L (2.67 ukat/L).
Emergency Department Nursing Interventions
Ans: The ED nurse starts an intravenous (IV) infusion of 5% Dextrose and sodium
chloride 0.45% at 125 mL/hour with a 20 gauge angiocatheter in the client's left
forearm. The client complains of severe abdominal pain rated 9 on a 0-10 numerical
pain scale. The client's abdomen is soft and tender in the upper quadrants. The nurse
notes audible bowel sounds in all 4 quadrants. Click for Image
Which medication should the nurse expect to administer to relieve the client's pain?
a) Ondansetron 0.15 mg IV push diluted and administered over 15 minutes.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3
b) Ranitidine IV piggy back administered over 30 minutes.
c) Morphine 5 mg IV push administered diluted over 5 minutes.
d) Promethazine 25 mg deep intramuscular injection.
Ans: c) Morphine 5 mg IV push administered diluted over 5 minutes.
-
Morphine is considered a first line opioid analgesic and one of the most commonly
prescribed opioids for moderate to severe pain.
The HCP writes admitting prescriptions for the client.
Ans: -
Which diet should the nurse expect the HCP to prescribe for the client?
a) Regular diet.
b) Low-fat diet.
c) Clear-liquid diet.
d) Nothing by mouth.
Ans: d) Nothing by mouth.
-
All oral intake is withheld to inhibit pancreatic stimulation and the secretion of
pancreatic enzymes.
The ED nurse prepares to transfer the client to the medical floor.
Ans: -
Which intervention should the nurse implement prior to transferring the client to
the floor?
© 2025 All rights reserved
