PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

In cases of cholangitis, which laboratory finding would you expect to be elevated?

1. Amylase

2. Creatinine

3. Leukocytosis

4. Hemoglobin

The correct answer is: Leukocytosis

In cases of cholangitis, leukocytosis is expected to be elevated due to the body's response to infection and inflammation within the biliary tract. Cholangitis is often caused by a bacterial infection, usually due to an obstruction in the bile duct, which leads to the accumulation of bile and subsequent infection. The elevation of white blood cells, specifically neutrophils, reflects the immune system's activation as it attempts to combat the infection. This leukocytosis is a typical laboratory finding in various infections, including cholangitis. While other laboratory findings may also be assessed in the context of cholangitis, such as liver function tests or indicators of obstruction, leukocytosis is the most direct marker of the inflammatory response associated with this condition. Amylase would typically be elevated in pancreatic disorders, creatinine might increase due to dehydration or kidney involvement, and hemoglobin levels would not specifically indicate cholangitis. Therefore, the rise in leukocyte count is a significant and characteristic finding in the setting of cholangitis.