(a) Pancreatitis is a medical condition wherein the pancreas of the patient is inflammed.This results in rupture of the gland and its cells. Pancreas is responsible for producing 2 digestive enzymes - lipase and amylase. Hence, during inflammation, it is very likely that the ruptured pancreas shall cause leakage of these as a result of which their serum and urine levels shall be evelated.
(b) one of the causes of pancreatitis could be obstruction in the gall bladder, say due to gall stones. As bile salts give the normal colour to the stool. Abnormality in the levels of bile salts in the it can alter its colour.
(c) Mortality risk for a person sufferring from pancreatitis is calculated using Ranson's criterion. Hence for Mrs. Harrison it is 15%.
Criterion is as follows
Age> 55yrs
glucose>220mg/dL
WBC >18000/ml
AST >250U/L
LDH>400U/L
2. Joe Harrison, a 62-year-old bank executive, presents to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain....
2. Joe Harrison, a 62-year-old bank executive, presents to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain. He describes the pain as excruciating, and indicates it is located in the mid igastrium with radiation into his back. The patient states he has not eaten anything in the past 24 hours, but 2 days ago attended a wedding dinner and consumed a large meal and about 4 to 5 admitted with a diagnosis of rule-out pancreatitis. Learning Objectives 4 a. Blood and...
A 31-year-old female was brought to the emergency room with complaints of severe abdominal pain and some vomiting by her family who reported she has been frequently hallucinogenic over the last week. Her record shows three prior hospital visits with the symptoms of severe abdominal pain and constipation in the last year. Previous routine blood tests and abdominal ultrasound had been normal and her symptoms had settled with pain relief and supportive management. On current examination, there was diffuse abdominal...
CASE STUDY: PELVIC PAIN An 18-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain, which has been progressive over the last 3 days. Her menstrual period was due about the time her symptoms started. She admits to being sexually active with several partners in the past 2 months with inconsistent use of birth control 1. What are signs of inflammation given in the patient's history? 2. Which cardinal signs of inflammation can you see in the above images?...
CASE 1 John, a 63-year-old-man, noticed visible jaundice, which appeared to be deepening in color. He reported no history of pain, fever, or drug use, but he complained of weight loss and pale stools for the last few days. He was a moderate drinker. John had not experienced any previous episodes. Chemistry results: Total serum bilirubin: 20 mg/dL AST: 80 U/L ALT: 90 U/L ALP: 450 U/L 1. What is the likely diagnosis: hepatic or obstructive jaundice? What conditions are...
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John Smith is a 65-year-old retiree who is admitted to your unit from the emergency department (Ed). On arrival, you note that he is trembling and nearly doubled over with severe abdominal pain. John indicates that he has severe pain in the right upper quadrant (RUQ) of his abdomen that radiates through to his mid back as a deep, sharp, boring pain. He is more comfortable walking or sitting bent forward rather than lying flat in bed. He admits to...
John Smith is a 65-year-old retiree who is admitted to your unit from the emergency department (Ed). On arrival, you note that he is trembling and nearly doubled over with severe abdominal pain. John indicates that he has severe pain in the right upper quadrant (RUQ) of his abdomen that radiates through to his mid back as a deep, sharp, boring pain. He is more comfortable walking or sitting bent forward rather than lying flat in bed. He admits to...
1. A 58-year old lawyer presents in the emergency room with headache, irritability, generalized muscle pain and uncontrollable back spasms. He has become very restless and worried because he has had the back spasms all through his court case that afternoon and they became extremely painful. In his history, the lawyer states that he has a very busy practice. He is on medication for high blood pressure (beta blocker) and has mild asthma. He injured himself about 10 days earlier, puncturing...
420. A 42 year old patient is admitted to the emergency department (ED. following being mugged. The patient received blunt trauma to the face and has clear fluid draining from the right nostril. What does the ED nurse know to assess this fluid for? A. Sodium B. Protein C. Calcium D. Glucose 421. As an asthma educator, you are teaching a patient newly diagnosed with asthma and her family about the use of a peak flow meter. What does a...