Final answer:
In a patient with pancreatitis, the expected lab result to be below the reference range is the level of calcium, as pancreatitis can lead to hypocalcemia.
Step-by-step explanation:
When caring for a client with pancreatitis, you would expect certain laboratory results to deviate from the expected reference range. A nurse should anticipate that the level of calcium would likely be below the expected reference range in a patient with pancreatitis. This is because pancreatitis can cause hypocalcemia, which is a condition characterized by low calcium levels in the blood. Unlike amylase or lipase levels, which are typically elevated due to pancreatic inflammation, calcium levels tend to decrease during acute or chronic pancreatitis. It's also important to note that other tests like liver function tests (LFTs) and bilirubin may be altered, however, these would typically be elevated rather than decreased. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels might rise with large bile duct obstruction, but they are not specifically linked to the functionality of the pancreas. Therefore, the correct answer is d. Calcium.