Which of the following is a diagnostic lab test for a client with pancreatitis?

Rationale:
A. Delaying discussion until after signing the consent form does not address the client’s immediate anxiety or provide needed education.

B. Providing information about sedation reassures the client that discomfort during the colonoscopy will be minimized and helps reduce anxiety. It is accurate, therapeutic, and informative.

C. Acknowledging the recommendation without addressing the anxiety does not provide reassurance or information about pain management.

D. While humorous, this comment does not address the client’s concern about pain and is not considered a therapeutic response.

Rationale:
A. Serum calcium levels are often decreased in acute pancreatitis due to fat saponification, not increased.

B. Serum lipase is typically elevated, not decreased, in acute pancreatitis, and is often more specific than amylase for pancreatic injury.

C. WBC count usually increases due to inflammation and possible infection; a decreased WBC is not expected.

D. Increased serum amylase is a hallmark laboratory finding in acute pancreatitis. Amylase is released from damaged pancreatic cells into the bloodstream. Levels typically rise within 6–12 hours of onset of symptoms and remain elevated for 3–5 days. Monitoring amylase, along with lipase (which remains elevated longer), helps confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of pancreatic inflammation. Elevated amylase, in the context of abdominal pain radiating to the back, nausea, and vomiting, supports the provider’s suspicion of acute pancreatitis.