BCEN CEN Practice Question

The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis requires meeting at least two of three criteria: characteristic abdominal pain, serum amylase or lipase levels at least three times the upper limit of normal, and characteristic imaging findings. Therefore, significantly elevated serum lipase and amylase are the most direct and indicative laboratory findings for acute pancreatitis. While leukocytosis (elevated WBC) and an elevated C-reactive protein are common due to inflammation, they are nonspecific. Elevated liver enzymes (AST/ALT) may suggest a biliary cause but are not primary diagnostic markers for pancreatitis itself. Hyperglycemia and hypocalcemia can be complications of pancreatitis but are not primary diagnostic indicators.