A 14-year-old patient has nonspecific complaints about pain in his or her legs. The physical examination is unremarkable. Laboratory results are within normal limits except for a markedly elevated alkaline phosphatase level. The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner:
a) interprets the findings as normally occurring during a rapid adolescent growth spurt.
b) obtains a rheumatoid profile because elevated alkaline phosphatase is a sign of early rheumatic fever.
c) orders a repeat blood test.
d) suspects that the patient has acute pancreatitis.