My Medical Skills Give Me Experience Points Chapter 1377 547: So They Came to Present a Banner, and a Measure of Wariness

The patient is not very old, only thirty-four or thirty-five years old. Should something go awry, it would represent a substantial devastation to his family.

It is a significant endeavor for any family to raise a son.

At thirty-four or thirty-five, a patient is often shouldering the main family responsibilities, experiencing career ascendance, and recently established a family with a child. The impact on their family's life if adversity strikes is easily imaginable.

What contributes to the high mortality rate associated with acute pancreatitis?

First, let's consider why it leads to a drop in blood pressure.

The primary reason for decreased blood pressure stems from the release of substances such as bradykinin.

Bradykinin causes vasodilation, thereby expanding the patient's blood vessel capacity. This expansion leads to a decline in blood pressure, manifesting with symptoms like intense thirst and cold extremities.

Low blood pressure alone might not be fatal.

The true precipitant of death is organ failure, exacerbated by systemic inflammatory responses, severe abdominal infections, gastrointestinal bleeding, and other complications. The release of bradykinin acts as a catalyst for these dire outcomes.

The pancreas is a truly remarkable organ; it possesses the capacity for 'self-digestion.'

Once pancreatic enzymes are activated, a terrifying process unfolds: the pancreatic tissue begins to digest itself, ultimately resulting in bleeding or even necrosis.

As the second-largest digestive organ in the human body, how does it end up digesting itself?

The pancreas primarily secretes insulin, which plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels, ensuring glucose from food is effectively utilized for normal metabolism. The pancreatic juice it releases aids in processing fatty foods, breaking down fats.

It is undeniably a diligent and vital digestive organ.

Upon initial secretion, pancreatic juice exists as its inactive precursor, zymogen, and only becomes activated when it encounters gastric acid or protein-based foods.

Individuals suffering from acute pancreatitis are particularly susceptible to gallstones.

When gallstone disease develops, stones can migrate and obstruct the confluence of the pancreatic duct and the bile duct. This blockage impedes bile flow into the pancreatic duct or causes pancreatic juice to backflow. In such scenarios, inactive zymogen is triggered into active enzymes, initiating the self-digestion process.

This elucidates the complete mechanism by which the pancreas digests itself.

Among the gathered relatives, a younger man, perhaps in his twenties and bearing a resemblance to the patient, possibly his brother, is present.

Upon hearing Zhou Can's diagnosis, he voiced his lingering concern, inquiring, "Doctor, is your diagnosis conclusive? What if my brother's condition is not acute pancreatitis? Wouldn't that delay necessary treatment?"

"Please do not misunderstand! It is simply that you appear quite young. We are dealing with a life-or-death situation, and we came to Tu Ya seeking the utmost certainty in care."

The relatives' primary apprehension stems from Zhou Can's youth and perceived lack of experience, fearing it might impede timely and effective treatment.

"No physician can offer an absolute guarantee for any diagnosis. If you lack faith in my assessment, I can only suggest seeking treatment from another doctor."

Faced with such doubt, Zhou Can could not help but feel a sense of unease.

From his experience, once the family begins to question the doctor, complications often arise.

This situation is highly detrimental to the process of medical treatment.

When a doctor prescribes medication, families may launch into a barrage of questions: the purpose of the drug, its efficacy, contingencies if it proves ineffective, or the availability of superior alternatives...

An endless stream of inquiries can profoundly agitate the attending physician.

To be entirely candid, Zhou Can was not originally assigned to triage duties. He would step in to assist whenever a primary physician encountered a complex case.

After all, the preservation of life is the paramount objective.

Moreover, Director Lou, Deputy Director Han, and other senior staff have repeatedly granted Zhou Can the authority during departmental meetings or in public forums to lead rescue operations as circumstances necessitate.

This delegation is due to the critical need for swift action in rescue scenarios.

In the absence of senior leadership, a highly competent physician is vital to guide the rescue efforts.

Without question, Zhou Can distinguishes himself among the physicians in the Emergency Department. Only a select few, including Director Lou, Deputy Director Han, and Dr. Xu, possess significant expertise in this domain.

At this juncture, it is highly probable that Zhou Can possesses the most advanced skills in rescue operations within the Emergency Department.

Just then, Deputy Director Han arrived from the ICU.

The Emergency ICU typically features a rotation of two highly competent chief physicians and deputy chief physicians. However, in exceptionally critical and complex emergencies, the foremost specialists from the Emergency Department must collaborate to ensure the patient's survival.

There are occasions when maintaining a patient's respiration, heartbeat, and blood pressure exceeds the capabilities of a single medical professional.

Furthermore, the operation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and similar life-saving apparatus necessitates the coordinated efforts of numerous physicians and nurses; a high degree of dexterity is indispensable.

"Director Han, your arrival is most opportune! The patient's family harbors some reservations regarding Dr. Zhou's diagnostic conclusion. Kindly re-examine the patient!"

Dr. Xie, the primary attending physician, harbors considerable apprehension regarding the patient's prognosis.

Zhou Can has at last arrived at a diagnosis, yet the family's unwillingness to cooperate is causing him significant distress.

The relatives place their trust in seasoned medical professionals, and Deputy Director Han possesses ample experience.

"Pray tell, what is Dr. Zhou's diagnostic assessment?"

Deputy Director Han cast a discerning gaze upon the assembled family members before turning his attention to Zhou Can.

"I harbor a strong suspicion that the patient may be suffering from acute pancreatitis. I have ordered blood tests, fasting blood glucose assessments, and an abdominal ultrasound. However, the relatives perceive me as too youthful and desire a second opinion from a more senior physician for their own reassurance."