A client is diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory results would the nurse anticipate to be elevated due to OBSTRUCTION in this condition? Select all that apply.

Rationale: A. In acute pancreatitis, inflammation and obstruction of the pancreatic ducts can impair the pancreas’ endocrine function, particularly insulin secretion. This results in hyperglycemia, which is often observed in clients with moderate to severe pancreatitis. Elevated blood glucose is a direct consequence of pancreatic dysfunction due to obstruction and inflammation. B. Amylase is a digestive enzyme produced by the pancreas. When the pancreatic duct is obstructed, amylase leaks into the bloodstream, leading to elevated serum levels. Serum amylase typically rises within 6–12 hours of the onset of acute pancreatitis and returns to normal within a few days, making it an early and sensitive marker of pancreatic injury. C. CRP is an acute-phase protein that increases in response to systemic inflammation. While it may rise in pancreatitis, it is nonspecific and does not directly indicate duct obstruction. It reflects the severity of inflammation, not the obstruction itself, and usually peaks 48 hours after onset. D. ALT is a liver enzyme that increases when hepatocytes are damaged. In pancreatitis caused by gallstone obstruction of the common bile duct, ALT can rise due to secondary hepatocellular injury. An ALT elevation in this context suggests a biliary cause of pancreatitis, often gallstones. E. Albumin levels are not elevated in acute pancreatitis. Albumin may actually be low in chronic liver disease or malnutrition, but it is not a marker of pancreatic obstruction or acute inflammation. F. Obstruction of the common bile duct prevents bile from flowing into the duodenum, leading to cholestasis. This results in elevated conjugated and total bilirubin, which may present clinically as jaundice. Elevated bilirubin is common in gallstone-induced pancreatitis. G. ALP is produced by the liver, bile ducts, and bone. Obstruction of the biliary tract causes ALP to rise because bile accumulates and damages biliary cells. Elevated ALP, along with bilirubin and ALT, supports the diagnosis of biliary obstruction as the cause of pancreatitis. H. Lipase is more specific than amylase for pancreatic injury. Obstruction of the pancreatic duct causes leakage of lipase into the bloodstream, leading to elevated levels. Lipase remains elevated longer than amylase (up to 7–14 days), making it useful for diagnosing pancreatitis even after the acute phase.