What serum amylase level would be expected in a client with acute pancreatitis?

In the context of acute pancreatitis, elevated serum amylase levels are typically observed as a result of inflammation and damage to the pancreatic tissue. The normal range for serum amylase is generally around 30 to 110 units/L, so significantly elevated levels suggest pancreatic involvement.

When examining the given choices, a level of 395 units/L falls within the range that aligns with what is generally observed in acute pancreatitis cases, where levels may rise significantly—often two to three times the normal range or even higher. It is not unusual for levels to be several hundred units per liter when evaluating a patient undergoing an acute pancreatitis episode, which typically presents with symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

The other levels demonstrated in the choices would typically either be borderline or exceptionally high; therefore, the selection of 395 units/L represents a reasonable expectation for serum amylase in such a clinical scenario. It reflects the acute rise in enzyme levels that occurs with the condition, thus making it a fitting response to the question regarding the expected amylase level in acute pancreatitis.