Question

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

A) Elevated platelet count
B) Decreased ammonia levels
C) Increased bilirubin levels
D) Decreased prothrombin time

Answer 1

For a client with cirrhosis, a nurse should expect to see increased bilirubin levels as a key laboratory finding, indicating problems with liver function and bilirubin processing.

Step-by-step explanation:

When reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has cirrhosis, a nurse should expect to see certain abnormal values. One such value is an increased bilirubin level, which is a marker of liver dysfunction and indicates problems with processing and excreting this substance, often leading to jaundice. Conditions such as cirrhosis can cause the liver to produce fewer coagulation factors, resulting in a decreased prothrombin time (or increased INR), meaning that the blood will take longer to clot.

Generally, cirrhosis can lead to thrombocytopenia, which is a decreased platelet count, not elevated. Also, in liver disorders, there is often an increase in blood ammonia levels, mainly due to the liver's diminished ability to convert ammonia into urea, which can lead to hepatic encephalopathy.

Therefore, the expected laboratory value for a client with cirrhosis is C) Increased bilirubin levels.