Nutritional assessment and management of patient with Acute Essay

Nutritional assessment and management of patient with Acute Pancreatitis - Essay Example Both these types may lead to the development of pancreatic cancer. Various factors are attributed to the aetiology of acute pancreatitis. The risk of development of pancreatitis differs with age and sex, and it most commonly occurs among the black population than any other race (Yadav & Lowenfels 2012). The most common cause of acute pancreatitis is gall stones and can be eliminated with the help of early cholecystectomy (Yadav & Lowenfels 2012). Alcoholism and smoking lead to be independent factors in the development of pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis can occur within hours or 2 days following the consumption of alcohol. Other causes of acute pancreatitis include abdominal trauma, infections, medications, tumours, and genetic abnormalities. The symptoms include upper abdominal pain which may be gradual or sudden followed by consumption of food. The pain may be mild initially and may result in severe form later. Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, fever, rapid pulse may be present. Seve re acute pancreatitis may be fatal to the patient with failures of the kidney, the lungs and the heart. In the following essay, an attempt is made to critically evaluate the clinical condition of Mrs. Barrowman diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and to identify the factors that may affect her nutritional status, and to assess her nutritional risk status using ‘MUST’ (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool). Mrs. Barrowman, 54 years, got admitted in the ITU with the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. During admission, the patient was presented with symptoms of severe abdominal pain and vomiting, which are one of the main signs of acute pancreatitis. Physically, height of the patient is 1.78 m and weight 58 kg prior to the period of ill health, and might have possibly lost 1-5 kg during her illness. Third day observation charted the following: BP: 105/75 mm Hg, heart rate: 130 bpm and is presented with sinus tachycardia. She has pitting edema all over the body. Other laboratory