Question

The nurse is reviewing the laboratory values for a client with acute pancreatitis who reports the abdominal pain is not as severe as it was on admission. Which laboratory test should the nurse review to evaluate the client's clinical recovery?

a. Lipase.

b. Creatinine.

c. Bilirubin.

d. Glucose.

Answer 1

The nurse should check lipase levels to assess clinical recovery from acute pancreatitis, as decreasing levels may indicate reduced pancreatic inflammation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should review the lipase levels to evaluate the client's clinical recovery from acute pancreatitis. As lipase is an enzyme produced in the pancreas, elevated levels are indicative of pancreatic inflammation. When the abdominal pain associated with acute pancreatitis begins to subside, it is often due to the inflammation decreasing, which can correlate to a reduction in lipase levels. It is more specific than amylase and remains elevated longer during the course of pancreatitis, providing a more accurate reflection of the pancreatic inflammation's resolution over time.