Page 349 - Critical Care Nursing Demystified

334 CRITICAL CARE NURSING DeMYSTIFIED

Provide nutritional teaching to include a calcium-rich diet.
Assess for additional neurologic disturbances such as numbness, tingling, and
cramping in the extremities.
Maintain adequate fluid hydration and accurate measurement of intake and
output.

1 Pancreas
The pancreas is a fish-shaped organ located beneath the duodenum and the
spleen. It is composed of the following parts:
1. The head of the pancreas is attached to and lies in the C-shaped part of
the duodenum.
2. The body or main part of the pancreas is hidden behind the stomach. It
extends horizontally across the abdomen.
3. The tail of the pancreas is thin and narrow and is in contact with the spleen.

4. The main pancreatic duct crosses the entire length of the pancreas and is
known as the duct of Wirsung.

5. Digestive juices are emptied into an opening at the entrance to the duo- Downloaded by [ Faculty of Nursing, Chiangmai University 5.62.158.117] at [07/18/16]. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Global Education Holdings, LLC. Not to be redistributed or modified in any way without permission.
denum, known as the ampulla of Vater.

The pancreas has two major functions:
1. Exocrine – Releases pancreatic enzymes that aid in digestion. These en-
zymes are composed of water, sodium, bicarbonate, and potassium and
have an alkaline pH.

2. Endocrine function – Consists of cell types known as the islets of Langer-
hans that produce specific hormones that empty into the portal vein of
the liver and are distributed into the general circulation to reach other
target cells. Examples are

Beta cells Produce insulin
Alpha cells Produce glucagon
Delta cells Produce somatostatin
F cells Secretes polypeptide

Each hormone has specific purposes.
Insulin – Glucose is the primary energy source of the body. Insulin is released
to lower rising levels of glucose in the bloodstream by transporting glucose
from the bloodstream into the cells to be used for energy or stored for later