A 52-year-old man presents with severe epigastric pain radiating to the back and vomiting. He drinks 40 units of alcohol per week. Serum amylase is th...

Question

A 52-year-old man presents with severe epigastric pain radiating to the back and vomiting. He drinks 40 units of alcohol per week. Serum amylase is three times the upper limit of normal. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Admit for IV fluids, analgesia and monitoring

Answer

Reassure and discharge; pain is likely dyspepsia

Answer

Start high-dose oral steroids

Answer

Arrange elective ERCP immediately in all cases

Answer

Start prophylactic broad-spectrum antibiotics routinely

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Acute pancreatitis initial management

A 52-year-old man presents with severe epigastric pain radiating to the back and vomiting. He drinks 40 units of alcohol per week. Serum amylase is three times the upper limit of normal. What is the most appropriate immediate management?