Question

A nurse is reviewing laboratory results of a client who has cirrhosis. Which of the following lab values should the nurse expect?

a. Decreased prothrombin time

b. Elevated bilirubin level

c. Decreased ammonia level
d. Elevated albumin level

Answer 1

In cases of cirrhosis, one should expect to see an elevated bilirubin level due to the liver's impaired ability to process and excrete bilirubin.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse reviewing laboratory results of a client who has cirrhosis should expect to see an elevated bilirubin level. Liver cirrhosis can lead to impaired liver function, affecting the liver's ability to process and excrete bilirubin, which results in increased levels in the blood. The other options, such as decreased prothrombin time, decreased ammonia level, or elevated albumin level, are generally not associated with cirrhosis; in fact, cirrhosis often leads to increased prothrombin time due to decreased production of clotting factors and decreased albumin production.