5 Liver, Pancreatic, Cardiac, and Blood Gas Results Free Online FlashCards

What do elevated ALT and AST mainly indicate?

Elevations mainly suggest cell injury. ALT is relatively liver-specific, while AST can also come from muscle and other tissues.

What can elevated total bilirubin reflect?

Elevated bilirubin can cause jaundice and may reflect impaired processing or bile flow, or increased red-cell breakdown.

Which liver tests help assess synthetic function?

Albumin and PT/INR help assess liver synthetic function. Low albumin has other possible causes, and prolonged PT/INR can also reflect vitamin K deficiency or medication effects.

Which liver-related findings call for assessment and prompt reporting?

Assess for jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain, bruising or bleeding, and mental-status change. Promptly report rising INR, new bleeding, or confusion.

Which enzyme is generally more useful for suspected pancreatitis?

Lipase is generally more useful than amylase when pancreatitis is suspected.

How should high-sensitivity troponin results be evaluated?

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin is the preferred biomarker for myocardial injury. Interpret it using the assay-specific upper reference limit, commonly the 99th percentile.

What is the nursing response to symptoms concerning for acute coronary syndrome?

Rapidly assess the patient, obtain or assist with an ECG, initiate monitoring, and promptly notify the clinician or activate the emergency pathway. Give oxygen only when indicated.

How do pH values identify acidemia and alkalemia?

A pH below $7.35$ indicates acidemia; a pH above $7.45$ indicates alkalemia.

What does a PaO₂ below $60\ \mathrm{mmHg}$ commonly indicate?

A PaO₂ below $60\ \mathrm{mmHg}$ is commonly considered critical. Assess the patient and oxygen delivery, then promptly escalate hypoxemia or deterioration.

What can a prominent ALP elevation suggest?

A prominent ALP rise may suggest cholestasis or bile-duct obstruction, but bone disease can also raise ALP.

Does an elevated pancreatic enzyme alone prove pancreatitis?

An elevated enzyme alone does not prove pancreatitis. Interpret results with symptoms and other findings.

What does an elevated troponin establish, and what do serial changes add?

A single elevated result indicates myocardial injury, not MI by itself. A rise or fall on serial measurements supports acute injury.