Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 68%
Simulated
The nurse is assessing a client with a gunshot wound to the abdomen who is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) following a 3 hour surgical procedure. Which elevated laboratory value indicates pancreatic damage?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
Gunshot wounds to the abdomen can injure the pancreas, leading to leakage of pancreatic enzymes. Lipase is the most specific enzyme for pancreatic injury and typically becomes elevated within 4-8 hours of damage, peaking at 24 hours. Amylase is also elevated but less specific. WBelevation indicates infection/inflammation, bilirubin indicates liver/biliary issues, and hemoglobin relates to blood loss.