The nurse is caring for a client with cirrhosis of the liver. Which blood test values would the nurse typically anticipate to be elevated when reviewing the client's morning laboratory results? Select all that apply.

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11ecbb05_c9b4_9c4b_b433_2d414e876e5c_MD0009_00 Cirrhosis, the end stage of many chronic liver diseases, is characterized by diffuse hepatic fibrosis with replacement of the normal architecture by regenerative nodules. The resulting structural changes alter blood flow through the liver and decrease the liver's functionality. Elevated bilirubin (jaundice) results from functional derangement of liver cells and compression of bile ducts by nodules. The liver has a decreased ability to conjugate and excrete bilirubin (Option C). Most coagulation factors are produced in the liver. A cirrhotic liver cannot produce the factors essential for blood clotting. As a result, coagulation studies (prothrombin time [PT]/International Normalized Ratio [INR] and activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT]) are usually elevated (Option D). Ammonia from intestinal deamination of amino acids normally goes to the liver and is converted to urea and excreted by the kidney. This does not happen in cirrhosis. Instead, the ammonia level rises as the cirrhosis progresses; ammonia crosses the blood-brain barrier and results in hepatic encephalopathy (Option B). (Options A and E) Albumin holds water inside the blood vessels. In cirrhosis, the liver is unable to synthesize albumin (protein), so hypoalbuminemia would be expected. This is the primary reason that fluid leaks out of vascular spaces into interstitial spaces (eg, edema, ascites). The kidneys perceive this as low perfusion and try to reabsorb (conserve) both sodium and water. The large amount of water in the body results in a dilutional effect (low sodium). Educational objective: The chronic, progressive destruction characteristic of cirrhosis causes bilirubin, ammonia, and coagulation studies (PT/INR and aPTT) to become elevated. Hyponatremia and hypoalbuminemia are to be expected.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Client with Cirrhosis of the Liver