The healthcare provider has determined that a client has contracted hepatitis A based on flu-like symptoms and jaundice. Which statement made by the client supports this medical diagnosis?

Choice A reason: Hypoxemia, or low oxygen levels in the blood, is a primary indicator of ARF as the lungs are unable to adequately oxygenate the blood.

Choice B reason: Confusion can result from hypoxemia or hypercapnia (high carbon dioxide levels) as the brain is sensitive to changes in blood gas levels.

Choice C reason: Dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, is a hallmark symptom of ARF as the lungs struggle to maintain adequate gas exchange.

Choice D reason: Bradycardia, or a slow heart rate, is not typically associated with ARF. Tachycardia, or a fast heart rate, is more common as the body attempts to compensate for hypoxemia.

Choice E reason: Hypocarbia, or low carbon dioxide levels, can occur in ARF if the body is attempting to compensate for hypoxemia by hyperventilating.

Choice A: Troponin Troponin levels increase within 3-12 hours from the onset of chest pain, peak at 24-48 hours, and return to baseline over 5-14 days. Troponin is a protein found in cardiac muscle fibers that regulates muscular contraction. When heart muscle is damaged, as in the case of an MI, troponin is released into the bloodstream. The elevation of troponin levels is a key indicator of myocardial infarction and can be used to diagnose and assess the extent of heart muscle damage. Troponin is the most reliable laboratory value that is expected to be elevated following a myocardial infarction, making it the correct choice in this scenario.

Choice B: Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) AST is an enzyme found in high concentrations in the liver, heart, muscles, kidneys, and brain. It is released into the bloodstream when any of these tissues are damaged. While AST can be elevated in cases of MI, it is not as specific as troponin because it is present in many other tissues besides the heart.

Choice C: Serum amylase Serum amylase is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates and is primarily associated with the pancreas and salivary glands. Its elevation is not specifically related to myocardial infarction but can be seen in other conditions such as pancreatitis.

Choice D: Unconjugated bilirubin Unconjugated bilirubin is a breakdown product of hemoglobin from red blood cells. Elevated levels of unconjugated bilirubin are typically associated with conditions affecting the liver or the breakdown of red blood cells, not myocardial infarction.