While assessing a 10-month-old African American infant, the nurse notices that the sclerae have a yellowish tint. Which organ system would the nurse suspect as having an ongoing disease process?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Yellowing of the sclerae, or jaundice, is often a sign of liver dysfunction. In a 10-month-old infant, this could be due to various causes such as biliary atresia, hepatitis, or other liver diseases. The gastrointestinal system plays a key role in the function of the liver, as the liver receives nutrient-rich blood from the gut via the portal vein. Thus, the nurse would suspect the gastrointestinal system as having an ongoing disease process in this case.

While Assessing a 10-Month-Old African American Infant, the Nurse Notices