Question

A 47-year-old woman presents with severe epigastric pain radiating to the back; serum lipase is markedly elevated. What is the key early management priority in acute pancreatitis?

Accepted Answer

Aggressive IV crystalloid fluid resuscitation and analgesia

Answer

Early prophylactic antibiotics

Answer

Immediate ERCP in all cases

Answer

Total parenteral nutrition

Answer

High-dose steroids

Practice question

A 47-year-old woman presents with severe epigastric pain radiating to the back; serum lipase is markedly elevated. What is the key early management priority in acute pancreatitis?