List the common etiologies of acute pancreatitis and the initial management priorities.

Prepare for the Internal Medicine II Test with engaging flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question is detailed with hints and explanations. Gear up your knowledge for success!

Most cases of acute pancreatitis are due to gallstones or alcohol. The immediate priority is supportive care: aggressive IV fluid resuscitation to maintain perfusion, effective pain control, and keeping the patient NPO to reduce pancreatic stimulation. While stabilizing, promptly determine the cause; a RUQ ultrasound is the initial test of choice because it can detect gallstones and biliary obstruction, guiding further management such as biliary decompression if needed. Other etiologies like hypertriglyceridemia or certain drugs exist, but they are less common. Antibiotics are not routinely started unless there is suspicion of infection of necrotic tissue or cholangitis. Surgery is not the first step; most patients are managed conservatively, with operative or endoscopic interventions reserved for specific complications or persistent obstruction after stabilization.