When caring for a client with acute pancreatitis, what laboratory finding is expected?

In cases of acute pancreatitis, an expected laboratory finding is an increased blood glucose level. This elevation occurs due to the pancreas’s dysfunction, which can lead to decreased insulin production. The inflammatory process in the pancreas can impact its ability to regulate blood sugar levels, resulting in hyperglycemia.

Patients with acute pancreatitis often experience a release of stress hormones, including cortisol and catecholamines, which can further elevate blood glucose levels by promoting gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. Additionally, the presence of adipose tissue inflammation and energy demands of the body during acute inflammation can lead to impaired insulin sensitivity, compounding the issue.

Monitoring blood glucose levels in these patients is crucial, as managing hyperglycemia can be an integral part of the overall treatment strategy for acute pancreatitis.