Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has pancreatitis. The nurse should expect which of the following laboratory results to be below the expected reference range?

a. amylase
b. calcium
c. bilirubin
d. alkaline phosphatase

Answer 1

A nurse caring for a client with pancreatitis should expect the amylase level to be below the expected reference range.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should expect the amylase level to be below the expected reference range in a client with pancreatitis. Amylase is an enzyme produced in the pancreas, and its levels rise when there is inflammation or damage to the pancreas. Therefore, a decrease in amylase levels is typical in pancreatitis.