Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is an abrupt inflammatory injury of the pancreas. The initiating problem is premature activation of digestive enzymes inside pancreatic cells rather than in the intestinal tract. The activated enzymes injure pancreatic tissue and trigger an inflammatory cascade that can remain local or produce systemic capillary leak, intravascular volume loss, and organ dysfunction. For the LPN/LVN, the clinical question is not simply whether the client has abdominal pain. It is whether the assessment pattern supports pancreatitis and whether inflammation is beginning to compromise perfusion, breathing, renal function, or biliary drainage. Care should follow clear orders and applicable state and facility policy, with prompt RN or provider notification when findings are new, worsening, or outside the PN's scope.