Rosh Internal Medicine Boost Practice Exam

What should be monitored in patients with chronic pancreatitis to assess for complications?

1. Fasting glucose level

2. Serum electrolytes

3. Liver function tests

4. Complete blood count

The correct answer is: Fasting glucose level

Monitoring fasting glucose levels in patients with chronic pancreatitis is crucial for assessing potential complications, particularly the development of pancreatic diabetes (also referred to as type 3c diabetes). Chronic pancreatitis can lead to damage of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, resulting in impaired glucose metabolism. As the disease progresses, patients become at risk for hyperglycemia and may ultimately develop diabetes. Regularly checking fasting glucose levels allows for early detection of these changes and timely intervention to manage blood sugar and prevent further complications, such as cardiovascular disease or long-term complications associated with diabetes. In addition to fasting glucose, the other options may provide information about a patient's overall health but do not directly indicate complications specifically associated with chronic pancreatitis. Monitoring serum electrolytes can be important for assessing metabolic derangements or complications like dehydration, while liver function tests help evaluate liver health, and a complete blood count can assist in detecting signs of infection or anemia. However, these do not specifically relate to the complications resulting from chronic pancreatitis, making fasting glucose monitoring a more relevant and significant choice in this context.