Acute Pancreatitis
Clinical Presentation
Clinical presentation can be classified into three main categories. The categories include the patients’ major complaints, which are those signs and symptoms which are easily identifiable, finding based on physical examinations as well as those that manifest themselves as a result of complications. The clinical presentation of the disease tends to be dependent on the severity of the inflammation occurring in the pancreas as well as the possibility of systemic complications.
Major Patient Complaints In the initial stages the patient experiences relative abdominal pain extending to excruciating pain, shock and respiratory distress. According to the Pharmacotherapy Handbook 9th Edition, Abdominal …show more content…
These findings, however, vary depending on how extensive the inflammation is. There are most common abnormalities found are usually a low grade fever, tachycardia as well as hypotension. In more extreme cases patients may present with respiratory complications such as dyspnea, due to the inflammation extending from the pancreatic region to as far as the diaphragm, and …show more content…
This pain often radiated to the patients back. Pain can occur with or without having meals and last for several hours at a time, most often occurring at night time. Presentation of nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss is also seen in patients with chronic pancreatitis.
Findings After Physical Examination Standard Physical examinations are not sufficient in providing a definitive diagnosis in regards to chronic pancreatitis. Huffman, Wehbi and Obideen, however, postulated that upon palpation there is the possibility of a mass in the epigastrium suggesting the presence of a pseudocyst. In the advanced state of the disease, steatorrhea may be developed giving rise to decreased fat below the skin and wasting among other signs (Huffman, Wehbi & Obideen, 2015).
Clinical Presentation
Clinical presentation can be classified into three main categories. The categories include the patients’ major complaints, which are those signs and symptoms which are easily identifiable, finding based on physical examinations as well as those that manifest themselves as a result of complications. The clinical presentation of the disease tends to be dependent on the severity of the inflammation occurring in the pancreas as well as the possibility of systemic complications.
Major Patient Complaints In the initial stages the patient experiences relative abdominal pain extending to excruciating pain, shock and respiratory distress. According to the Pharmacotherapy Handbook 9th Edition, Abdominal …show more content…
These findings, however, vary depending on how extensive the inflammation is. There are most common abnormalities found are usually a low grade fever, tachycardia as well as hypotension. In more extreme cases patients may present with respiratory complications such as dyspnea, due to the inflammation extending from the pancreatic region to as far as the diaphragm, and …show more content…
This pain often radiated to the patients back. Pain can occur with or without having meals and last for several hours at a time, most often occurring at night time. Presentation of nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss is also seen in patients with chronic pancreatitis.
Findings After Physical Examination Standard Physical examinations are not sufficient in providing a definitive diagnosis in regards to chronic pancreatitis. Huffman, Wehbi and Obideen, however, postulated that upon palpation there is the possibility of a mass in the epigastrium suggesting the presence of a pseudocyst. In the advanced state of the disease, steatorrhea may be developed giving rise to decreased fat below the skin and wasting among other signs (Huffman, Wehbi & Obideen, 2015).