🩺 Nursing Question of the Day
Challenge yourself with one exam-style nursing question every day.
✅ Think carefully • ✅ Choose your answer • ✅ Then scroll down to check the explanation.
📝 Today’s Question:
A patient with acute pancreatitis has severe epigastric pain radiating to the back. Which laboratory marker is most specific?
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🩺 Acute Pancreatitis — Most Specific Marker
B. ALP
C. Bilirubin
D. Lipase
✅ Answer: (D) Lipase
📖 Why is Lipase the Correct Answer?
Lipase is the preferred and more specific laboratory marker for acute pancreatitis. It is an enzyme produced mainly by the pancreas that helps digest dietary fats.
When pancreatic cells become inflamed or damaged, pancreatic enzymes leak into the bloodstream. Serum lipase rises significantly and remains elevated longer than amylase.
Lipase = More specific for acute pancreatitis
🔬 Why is Lipase More Useful Than Amylase?
| Marker | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Lipase | More specific; remains elevated longer |
| Amylase | Less specific; rises early but normalizes sooner |
| ALP | Suggests cholestasis/biliary obstruction |
| Bilirubin | Suggests jaundice or biliary obstruction |
❌ Why Are the Other Options Wrong?
A. Amylase ❌
Amylase can increase in acute pancreatitis, but it is less specific because it can also rise in conditions such as salivary gland disease, intestinal disorders, and some renal problems.
B. ALP ❌
Alkaline phosphatase is mainly associated with the biliary tract and liver. It may increase when pancreatitis causes biliary obstruction, but it is not the specific marker for pancreatitis.
C. Bilirubin ❌
Bilirubin may be elevated when there is bile duct obstruction, especially with gallstone-related pancreatitis, but it does not specifically diagnose pancreatic inflammation.
D. Lipase ✅
Lipase is the most specific laboratory enzyme among these choices for acute pancreatitis.
“PANCREAS → LIPASE”
Think: LI-PASE = Lipase points to pancreatitis.
📌 Exam Tip: In acute pancreatitis, remember lipase is more specific and stays elevated longer than amylase. Severe epigastric pain radiating to the back is a classic clinical clue.
Concept clarity • Easy recall • Nursing success
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