title: Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of acute pancreatitis.
abstract: Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that can be either acute or chronic in origin and is caused by a varied range of aetiologies. However, in both types of the disease alcohol use may be a major contributor. In acute pancreatitis the symptoms can range from mild, which resolve within a few days, to severe, which is associated with both multi-organ failure and a high mortality necessitating admission to a high dependency or intensive care unit. As the incidence of acute pancreatitis is increasing it is imperative that nurses are familiar with the causes, underlying pathophysiology, diagnostic tests and the potentially vast range of complications that can occur in acute pancreatitis. This article reviews the current medical and nursing management of this condition.
authors.affiliation: Hepatology, Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sargent
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D015984:Causality; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000209:etiology; D015994:Incidence; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology; D009336:Necrosis; D024802:Nurse's Role; D018529:Nutritional Support; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010192:Pancreatic Pseudocyst / Q000209:etiology; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010343:Patient Admission; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011379:Prognosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents