A nurse is reviewing the laboratory data of a client who has acute pancreatitis. The nurse should expect to find an elevation of which of following values?

A. RBC count: Acute pancreatitis does not typically cause an increase in red blood cell count. Inflammation or bleeding complications may affect RBCs, but an elevation is not a characteristic finding. B. Calcium: Calcium levels are often decreased (hypocalcemia) in acute pancreatitis due to fat saponification and binding of calcium to damaged pancreatic tissue, rather than elevated. C. Amylase: In acute pancreatitis, the inflamed and damaged pancreas releases large amounts of amylase into the bloodstream, causing a significant elevation in serum amylase levels. This is one of the primary diagnostic markers for acute pancreatitis. D. Magnesium: Magnesium levels are not specifically elevated in acute pancreatitis and usually remain within normal limits unless complicated by other conditions; it is not a diagnostic marker for this disorder.