Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What is a common reason for slight elevation in alkaline phosphatase levels in teenage males?

1. A normal finding for his age group

2. A sign of pancreatic disease

3. An indication of liver dysfunction

4. An abnormal result requiring immediate intervention

The correct answer is: A normal finding for his age group

A slight elevation in alkaline phosphatase levels in teenage males is commonly found due to the physiological processes associated with growth and development during adolescence. Teenage boys experience significant skeletal growth, particularly during puberty, which can lead to higher production of alkaline phosphatase—an enzyme associated with bone metabolism. This natural elevation is generally considered a normal finding for this age group. It indicates that the body is actively growing and developing, rather than signaling any underlying pathology. Other options, like signs of pancreatic disease or liver dysfunction, would typically present with more pronounced elevations in enzyme levels along with additional clinical symptoms. Similarly, an abnormal result requiring immediate intervention would suggest a serious health issue that would manifest through more extreme laboratory values and clinical presentations rather than the slight elevations typically noted during growth spurts in adolescents.