Question

A 47-year-old man presents with abdominal pain and difficulties breathing. He has a history of alcohol abuse and confirmed cirrhosis of the liver. On examination, you see a malnourished, jaundiced patient with a distended belly. Percussion of the abdomen reveals a huge amount of fluid and wave sign. What is the primary cause of the ascites?

1. Increased albumin production
2. Increased ammonia production
3 Portal hypertension
4 Decreased fluid intake
5 Blockage of the common bile duct

Answer 1

The primary cause of ascites in a patient with cirrhosis is portal hypertension, a consequence of liver scarring that obstructs blood flow and leads to fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary cause of ascites in this scenario is due to portal hypertension, which is a complication of cirrhosis. Ascites occurs when scarring from cirrhosis obstructs the passage of blood through the liver, increasing the pressure in the portal vein. This obstructs the normal flow of blood, causing fluid from the blood vessels to leak into the abdominal cavity, forming ascites.

Portal hypertension is a direct consequence of the liver damage caused by conditions such as alcohol abuse, creating a resistance to portal blood flow. The body's attempt to compensate for the high pressure in the portal vein leads to the accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity, causing ascites. None of the other options provided (increased albumin production, increased ammonia production, decreased fluid intake, or blockage of the common bile duct) are primary factors in the formation of ascites related to cirrhosis.