Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

What is the most appropriate analgesic for a patient with acute pancreatitis?

1. Acetaminophen

2. Ibuprofen

3. Meperidine

4. Morphine

The correct answer is: Morphine

The most appropriate analgesic for a patient with acute pancreatitis is morphine. In acute pancreatitis, patients often experience severe abdominal pain, and effective pain management is crucial to their comfort and to facilitate other necessary treatments. Morphine is an opioid analgesic that provides strong pain relief and is commonly used in these situations. There are specific reasons why morphine is favored over other options. It has a rapid onset of action and allows for titration to the desired level of pain relief while being effective for the short to moderate duration needed in an acute setting. Additionally, morphine does not have the anti-inflammatory effects that other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may possess, but it is generally deemed safe in the context of pancreatitis. While acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be effective for mild to moderate pain relief, they might not provide sufficient analgesia for the intense pain typically associated with acute pancreatitis. Moreover, ibuprofen carries a risk of gastrointestinal irritation which could exacerbate the condition. Meperidine, while once commonly used for pain in pancreatitis, is no longer recommended as the first-line option due to its potential for neurotoxicity and accumulation, especially in patients with renal impairment, which can be a concern