Doug Mccarthur Case Study

Doug McArthur is hospitalized with pancreatitis and cholecystitis. Neither his gallbladder nor his pancreas is functioning normally at this time. Doug is placed on a NPO (nothing by mouth) diet order, given intravenous fluids and pain medication. The nurse is aware that the pancreas has two functions one being endocrine, secretion of hormones to assist with glucose control and the other being exocrine, aiding the digestive system. Doug is scheduled for gallbladder removal in the morning to treat the cholecystitis.
1. Doug asks what his gallbladder does. What is the nurse's best response?
The gallbladder stores bile, which is made in the liver. During the process of digestion, the gallbladder releases bile which aids in the digestion of fats in the small intestine. The gallbladder is an
The pancreas also helps to regulate blood sugars by secreting insulin, which lowers blood sugars, and glucagon, which helps to raise blood sugar levels.
3. Doug asks the nurse what is pancreatitis. What is the nurse’s best response? How is pancreatitis treated? What are five nursing diagnosis relevant to pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The organ’s enzymes cause the pancreas to digest itself. Pancreatitis can be caused by trauma, metabolic disorders, or often acute pancreatitis can be “idiopathic” or have an unknown cause. Acute pancreatitis can be fatal, however generally pancreatitis leads to some sort of damage to the organ and in turn to the systems in which it functions. Nursing diagnosis that are relevant to pancreatitis would be; acute pain, chronic pain, imbalanced nutrition, risk for dysfunctional gastrointestinal motility, and risk for infection. (Timby, 2014)
4. Doug asks the nurse what is cholecystitis. What is the nurse’s best