In Acute Pancreatitis, the inflamed pancreas causes severe epigastric pain that radiates to the back. The pain is:

• Worsened by lying supine (pancreas presses on posterior abdominal wall)
• Relieved by leaning forward or assuming knee-chest (fetal) position

The knee-chest position reduces tension on the pancreatic retroperitoneal attachments and decreases pain.

Other key nursing interventions in acute pancreatitis:

• NPO (nil per os) — rests the pancreas and stops secretion stimulation
• IV fluids (aggressive fluid resuscitation — pancreatitis causes major third spacing)
• Analgesics (IV morphine or meperidine for pain)
• NG tube if vomiting is severe
• Monitor serum amylase and lipase (lipase is more specific)