A patient is admitted to a hospital with a diagnosis of "acute onset abdominal pain." The patient's urine specimen shows increased levels of $\delta$-aminolevulinic acid ( $\delta$-ALA).Based on this result, the nurse should plan care for which condition?
A)Acute porphyria
B)Cirrhosis
C)Cholecystitis
D)Pancreatitis

Question

A patient is admitted to a hospital with a diagnosis of "acute onset abdominal pain." The patient's urine specimen shows increased levels of  $\delta$-aminolevulinic acid ( $\delta$-ALA).Based on this result, the nurse should plan care for which condition?
A)Acute porphyria
B)Cirrhosis
C)Cholecystitis
D)Pancreatitis

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Increased levels of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in urine are typical in patients with acute porphyria, a group of rare genetic disorders characterized by abnormal production and metabolism of heme. Acute attacks are usually triggered by various factors, such as alcohol, drugs, infections, hormones, or stress, and cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and other symptoms. Therefore, the patient's diagnosis of "acute onset abdominal pain" and the increased ALA levels suggest that acute porphyria is the most likely condition, and the nurse should focus on managing the pain, preventing complications, monitoring urine output and fluid/electrolyte balance, administering glucose and hematin, and avoiding potential triggers.

A Patient Is Admitted to a Hospital with a Diagnosis δ\deltaδ

A Patient Is Admitted to a Hospital with a Diagnosis $\delta$