The nurse is reviewing the laboratory values for a patient newly diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Which values would the nurse expect to be elevated?
1. Amylase and lipase
2. Hemoglobin
3. Platelets
4. Prothrombin time
1
Rationale 1: Amylase and lipase are enzymes excreted by the pancreas. In acute pancreatitis these levels will be increased to at least three times the normal level.
Rationale 2: Hemoglobin may be initially elevated if the patient is hypovolemic but it will quickly drop with fluid resuscitation. It may be decreased if the patient has hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Rationale 3: Platelets are not initially affected with acute pancreatitis.
Rationale 4: Changes in the prothrombin time does not indicate pancreatic disease.
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