A client is admitted with abdominal pain consistent with pancreatitis. Which intervention would best help control the client's pain in the acute period?

A client is admitted with abdominal pain consistent with pancreatitis. Which intervention would best help control the client's pain in the acute period?

• A. Small frequent feedings
• B. IV isotonic solutions
• C. Hydromorphone by PCA pump
• D. NG tube to low suction

Answer: (C)

Pain relief in the acute phase comes from providing strong, titratable analgesia so the patient can rest and their body’s inflammatory response can settle. Using an opioid analgesic through a patient-controlled analgesia pump lets the patient self-administer small, frequent doses to achieve steady, individualized relief, which is ideal for the severe, fluctuating pain of pancreatitis. Hydromorphone is a potent opioid with reliable pain control and generally favorable tolerability, making it a strong choice for this scenario. While IV fluids are crucial to support perfusion and avoid shock, and feeding strategies or decompression can help with complications, they don’t address pain as directly or effectively in the acute period.