What it means
The most common causes are gallstones and heavy alcohol use; very high triglycerides, some drugs and procedures on the bile ducts can also cause it. It ranges from mild, getting better in a few days, to severe, with fluid shifts, shock and failure of other organs. The blood lipaseLY-payssAn enzyme, made mainly by the pancreas, that breaks down fats; its blood level is a common lab test.lip/o fat-ase enzymeFull entry and amylaseAM-uh-laysAn enzyme made mainly by the pancreas and salivary glands that breaks down starch; its blood level is a lab test.Full entry levels rise. Repeated attacks can lead to chronic pancreatitispan-kree-uh-TY-tisInflammation of the pancreas, which may come on suddenly (acute) or last for years (chronic).pancreat/o pancreas-itis inflammationFull entry .
For the nurse
Give IV fluids and pain medicine as ordered, help the client into a position of comfort such as sitting up leaning forward or lying with knees bent, and follow the diet order (feeding is restarted as soon as tolerated). Watch breathing, blood pressure, urine output, blood glucose and calcium, and teach the client to avoid alcohol.
Related terms
pancreas
A long, flat gland behind the stomach that makes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.
pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas, which may come on suddenly (acute) or last for years (chronic).
gallbladder
A small pear-shaped sac under the liver that stores bile and releases it to help digest fat.
amylase
An enzyme made mainly by the pancreas and salivary glands that breaks down starch; its blood level is a lab test.
lipase
An enzyme, made mainly by the pancreas, that breaks down fats; its blood level is a common lab test.