NANDA-I 2024-2026 edition · Reviewed November 2, 2026 by the editorial team
What happens in pancreatitis and where nursing comes in
Inflammation of the pancreas causes severe abdominal pain and makes fluid leak out of the vessels into the abdomen. Vomiting and NPO status add to the losses. Nursing manages pain, replaces and monitors fluids, catches early signs of shock and supports the return to eating.
What to assess
- Pain on a numeric scale: location, radiation to the back and response to analgesia.
- Intake and output, hourly urine output and vital signs.
- Nausea, vomiting and NG tube drainage if present.
- Fingerstick blood glucose.
- Temperature and level of consciousness.
- Tolerance of oral intake when it is restarted.
NANDA-I 2024-2026 nursing diagnoses for pancreatitis
| Code | Diagnosis | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| 00132 | Acute painProblem-focused | Severe abdominal pain from pancreatic inflammation. |
| 00421 | Inadequate fluid volumeProblem-focused · former code 00027 | Tachycardia, oliguria or hypotension from fluid shifting into the abdomen, vomiting and NPO status. |
| 00420 | Risk for inadequate fluid volumeRisk · former code 00028 | In the first hours, before signs of hypovolemia appear. |
| 00205 | Risk for shockRisk | Volume loss and inflammation can compromise perfusion. |
| 00384 | Ineffective nausea self-managementProblem-focused · former code 00134 | Persistent nausea that limits intake. |
| 00343 | Inadequate nutritional intakeProblem-focused · former code 00002 | Prolonged NPO status and pain with eating. |
How to prioritize them
Volume and shock monitoring first, alongside pain; then nausea and nutrition. Your assessment makes the final call: anything that threatens life (airway, breathing, circulation) comes first.
Sample nursing diagnosis statements
Acute pain related to physical injury agent (12-hour-old abdominal surgical incision) as evidenced by pain rated 7/10 on the numeric scale, facial grimacing, and guarding of the incision when coughing and moving.
Inadequate Fluid Volume related to unreplaced losses from vomiting and no oral intake for 24 hours as evidenced by HR 118 bpm, BP 96/60 mmHg, urine output of 0.25 mL/kg/h over the last 4 hours, dry oral mucosa, and capillary refill of 3 seconds.
Risk for Inadequate Fluid Volume related to losses from an NG tube to suction, fever, and NPO status, in a patient with acute pancreatitis (associated condition).
Risk for shock related to poor fluid intake over the previous three days and uncontrolled hyperthermia, in a patient with urosepsis (associated condition).
Ineffective Nausea Self-Management related to inadequate knowledge of relief measures and fear of becoming dependent on antiemetics as evidenced by nausea rated 6/10 three times a day, intake of 25% of meals, refusal of the prescribed antiemetic, and stating they do not know what to do when it starts.
Inadequate nutritional intake related to uncontrolled nausea and pain with eating and lack of knowledge of the prescribed diet as evidenced by intake of less than 50% of meals for 4 days and weight loss of 4 kg (6%) in 3 weeks.
Fictional cases written by our team. Adapt them to your patient with the PES statement generator.
Nursing care plan summary
Main goals and interventions for the priority diagnoses. Each diagnosis page has the full plan, with rationales and a case study.
Acute pain (00132)
Goals
- The patient reports pain ≤3/10 on the numeric scale 60 minutes after oral analgesia or 30 minutes after IV analgesia.
- Coughs, repositions and walks with assistance without pain stopping them, within the first 24 hours.
Interventions
- Assess pain with the chosen scale on admission, every shift, and before and after every analgesic dose.
- Give prescribed analgesia around the clock, not only PRN, in the postoperative period.
- Reassess 15-30 minutes after an IV dose and 60 minutes after an oral dose.
- Monitor sedation and respiratory rate when the patient is on opioids.
Inadequate fluid volume (00421)
Goals
- Patient maintains urine output of at least 0.5 mL/kg/h in each of the next 12 hours.
- Heart rate drops below 100 bpm and systolic BP stays above 100 mmHg within 24 hours.
Interventions
- Start a large-bore peripheral IV and administer the prescribed IV fluids at the ordered rate.
- Measure and record urine output every hour while the patient is unstable.
- Keep strict intake and output, including emesis, drains and stools.
- Check heart rate, blood pressure and capillary refill every 1 to 2 hours at first, then as the patient's condition dictates.
Risk for inadequate fluid volume (00420)
Goals
- Patient maintains urine output ≥ 0.5 mL/kg/h each shift during the first 72 hours.
- Patient maintains HR < 100 bpm and systolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, or within their usual range, throughout the hospital stay.
Interventions
- Record intake and output every shift and total it every 24 hours.
- Measure hourly urine output in patients with an indwelling urinary catheter or at high risk.
- Weigh the patient daily, before breakfast, on the same scale.
- Monitor HR, BP and signs of hypovolemia every 4 hours or more often depending on acuity.
Build the full care plan as a table with the generator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the priority nursing diagnosis for pancreatitis?
Acute pain (00132) and Inadequate fluid volume (00421) are the priorities in the acute phase.
What happened to Deficient fluid volume?
In 2024-2026 it is called Inadequate fluid volume (00421).
What about the nursing diagnosis for nausea?
It is now Ineffective nausea self-management (00384); it used to be Nausea (00134).
Other conditions
Study material: the diagnosis selection, sample statements and care plans were written by our editorial team using the NANDA-I 2024-2026 classification. They do not replace clinical judgment or your facility's protocols.
Classification sources: NANDA-I 2024-2026, Thieme supplement · Elsevier summary of changes. Reviewed November 2, 2026.