Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

A patient with pancreatitis develops agitation and tachycardia 48 hours after admission. What condition might these symptoms indicate?

1. Alcohol withdrawal

2. Adverse reaction to medication

3. ICU psychosis

4. Generalized tonic-clonic seizure

The correct answer is: Alcohol withdrawal

The symptoms of agitation and tachycardia that develop 48 hours after admission in a patient with pancreatitis can be indicative of alcohol withdrawal, especially if the patient has a history of alcohol use. Alcohol withdrawal typically manifests within 6 to 48 hours after the last intake, with symptoms ranging from mild anxiety and agitation to severe complications such as tachycardia, hypertension, tremors, and hallucinations. In this context, the timing aligns well with the common withdrawal window, and the combination of agitation and tachycardia strongly suggests the autonomic instability associated with alcohol withdrawal. Additionally, patients who are hospitalized for medical issues such as pancreatitis may be unable to consume alcohol, precipitating withdrawal symptoms. The other options, while possible considerations in different scenarios, are less likely to explain the specific combination of symptoms observed in this situation. Adverse reactions to medication can occur, but usually they would present with more specific symptoms associated with the medication type. ICU psychosis typically occurs in patients who have been in the intensive care unit for a longer duration, often days to weeks, rather than emerging just after 48 hours. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures can occur due to various reasons, including metabolic derangements or acute alcohol withdrawal, but if