Acute pancreatic pain - Pain that is located retroperitoneally; any enlargement of the pancreas causes

the peritoneum to stretch tightly; sitting up or learning forward reduces pain

Chronic pancreatitis nursing plans and interventions - Administer analgesics such as meperidine or
porphine; administer pancreatic enzymes such as pancreatin or pancrelipase with meals or snacks. Mix
powdered formed with fruit juice or applesauce; monitor stools for number and consistency to
determine effectiveness of enzyme replacement; bland, low fat diet and avoid rich foods, alcohol and
caffeine; S&S DM

Cholecystitis - An acute inflammation of the gallbladder

Cholelithiasis - The formation or presence of stones in the gall bladder

Cholecystitis treatment - IV hydration, administration of antibiotics, and pain control with meperidine or
morphine

Cholelithiasis treatment - Nonsurgical removal of the stones; dissolution therapy; endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancreatography, lithotripsy

Cholescystectomy - Performed if stones are not removed nonsurgically and inflammation is absent

endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) - Following this the patient may feel sick; the
scope is placed in the gallbladder and the stones are crushed and left to pass on their own; prone to
pancreatitis

Nursing assessment for cholecystitis and cholelithiasis - Pain, anorexia, vomiting, flatulence precipitated
by ingestion of fried, spicy or fatty foods; fever, elevated WBC and other sigs of infection; abdominal
tenderness; jaundice and clay colored stools; elevated liver enzymes, bilirubin and WBC