Which laboratory finding is associated with rhabdomyolysis?

The presence of coke-colored urine is a hallmark sign of rhabdomyolysis, which occurs due to the breakdown of muscle tissue and the release of muscle cell contents into the bloodstream. This breakdown releases myoglobin, a protein that can cause significant damage to the kidneys and is also responsible for the characteristic brown or reddish color of the urine, resembling the color of cola or iced tea.

Rhabdomyolysis usually results from various factors such as trauma, prolonged immobilization, extreme physical exertion, or certain medications. The myoglobin released into the urine can lead to complications, including acute kidney injury, if not addressed promptly. Furthermore, the appearance of the urine can often provide critical information for early diagnosis, guiding treatment interventions to prevent further renal damage.

The other choices relate to different conditions that are not definitively indicative of rhabdomyolysis. Elevated calcium might be present in other conditions, decreased potassium does not typically correlate with muscle breakdown, and normal muscle enzyme levels would not align with a diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis, since significant elevation of enzymes such as creatine kinase is commonly observed in such cases.