title: Unraveling the mystery of acute pancreatitis.
abstract: On June 3, 57-year-old Paul Jackson has coronary artery bypass surgery. Two weeks later he is readmitted for treatment of acute pancreatitis, probably triggered by the trauma of surgery. Mild pancreatitis usually is self-limiting, but the more severe form has a mortality rate of nearly 50%. Complications can range from electrolyte imbalances to multisystem organ failure. This article discusses the care of the patient with pancreatitis and the prevention of further complications.
authors.affiliation: St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, TX, USA. nurselcc@earthlink.net
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cole
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy