A patient with epigastric pain has a serum amylase level of 369 units/L. What should the nurse do?
1. continue to monitor the patient
2. refer the patient to a dietician
3. contact the primary healthcare provider
4. question the patient regarding alcohol use patterns
Correct Answer: 3
A normal level for serum amylase is between 0 and 130 units/L. In pancreatitis, the serum amylase increases to two to three times the normal level and remains elevated for 3 to 4 days. The primary healthcare provider should be notified of the patient's symptoms and the laboratory findings. The patient could develop shock. A dietitian is not needed at this time. The nurse can assess the patient's alcohol intake at a later time.
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