Acute pancreatitis — MCCQE Part 1 MCQ

Correct answer: B — Provide supportive care with intravenous fluids, analgesia and severity assessment

Provide supportive care with intravenous fluids, analgesia and severity assessment is the single best answer because the age, timing, examination findings and investigations in the vignette fit Acute pancreatitis better than the alternatives. The most tempting distractor is less appropriate because it either treats a neighbouring presentation, delays a time-critical intervention, or ignores a key discriminator in the stem. The remaining options are suboptimal because they would miss the diagnosis, use an investigation or treatment in the wrong sequence, or fail to address safety and follow-up. Canadian practice should be anchored to Canadian Association of Gastroenterology pancreatitis guidance, with attention to acuity, safety-netting and local provincial pathways.

Reference: Canadian Association of Gastroenterology pancreatitis guidance