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 expectation?

1) Elevated amylase levels
2) Elevated lipase levels
3) Decreased blood glucose levels
4) Decreased white blood cell count

Answer 1

Elevated amylase levels would be expected in a client with pancreatitis, while decreased blood glucose levels would not be expected.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should expect elevated amylase levels in a client with pancreatitis. Elevated amylase levels indicate pancreatic inflammation, which is a characteristic feature of pancreatitis. On the other hand, decreased blood glucose levels would not be expected in a client with pancreatitis. The pancreas plays a role in maintaining blood glucose levels by secreting insulin when the glucose level is high and glucagon when the glucose level is low. Therefore, it would be more likely to see increased blood glucose levels in a client with pancreatitis.