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    Adult Health med surg proctored exam (Viterbo university)
    Select All That Apply

    The nurse is caring for a patient admitted with advanced liver disease. Which laboratory result(s) would the nurse expect? Select all that apply.

    Explanation & Rationale

    Choice A reason: Increased serum calcium is not typically associated with advanced liver disease. Hypercalcemia (increased serum calcium) may be seen in conditions like hyperparathyroidism, certain cancers, or excessive vitamin D intake, but it is not a common finding in liver disease.Choice B reason: Decreased serum ammonia is also not associated with advanced liver disease. In fact, patients with liver disease often have increased serum ammonia levels due to the liver's inability to effectively detoxify ammonia into urea. Elevated ammonia can lead to hepatic encephalopathy, a serious complication of liver disease.Choice C reason: Increased ALT and AST are common laboratory findings in advanced liver disease. These liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), are released into the bloodstream when liver cells are damaged or inflamed. Elevated levels indicate liver injury or dysfunction and are often used to assess the extent of liver disease.Choice D reason: Decreased albumin is a typical finding in advanced liver disease. Albumin is a protein produced by the liver, and its levels drop when the liver is no longer able to synthesize it effectively. Low albumin levels can lead to edema and ascites due to decreased oncotic pressure in the blood vessels.Choice E reason: Elevated bilirubin is expected in advanced liver disease. Bilirubin is a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown that is normally processed and excreted by the liver. When liver function is impaired, bilirubin accumulates in the blood, leading to jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes.Choice F reason: Elevated prothrombin time (PT) is a common finding in advanced liver disease. The liver produces clotting factors necessary for blood coagulation, and when it is damaged, these factors are not produced adequately, leading to prolonged PT. This indicates a higher risk of bleeding and impaired clotting function.

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