Elevations in which enzymes are commonly used to diagnose pancreatitis?

• A. A-line
• B. Amylase/Lipase
• C. ABG
• D. VBG

Answer: (B)

Elevations in pancreatic injury markers are the main way pancreatitis is diagnosed. The two enzymes commonly measured are amylase and lipase. When the pancreas is inflamed, these enzymes leak into the blood, so their levels rise. Lipase is favored because it is more specific to the pancreas and remains elevated longer, making it a more reliable indicator. Amylase also rises and can be elevated early, but it can be increased with other conditions (like salivary gland issues) and tends to normalize sooner. In clinical practice, a rise of these enzymes to more than about three times the upper limit of normal, together with compatible abdominal pain or imaging findings, supports a diagnosis of pancreatitis. The other options describe arterial or venous blood gas tests or invasive lines, which do not measure pancreatic enzyme elevations.