Final answer:
In hepatic jaundice, elevated levels of both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin in the blood, and increased urobilinogen in the urine are observed, due to the liver's diminished capacity to process and excrete bilirubin. This occurs as a result of damage to the liver's cells from various causes like alcoholism or infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
In hepatic jaundice, which occurs due to damage to the liver's parenchymal cells from conditions such as alcoholism, toxins, viral, or bacterial infections, both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin levels in the blood are typically elevated. This is because the liver's ability to conjugate and excrete bilirubin is impaired. As a result, there is also an increase in urobilinogen levels in the urine, since the bilirubin that does get excreted into the intestine is converted more into urobilinogen, some of which is reabsorbed into the bloodstream and excreted in the urine.
Bilirubin is the main bile pigment and a breakdown product of hemoglobin from old or damaged red blood cells. When the liver fails to process bilirubin efficiently, it can build up in the bloodstream and body tissue, causing the yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes known as jaundice. The excess bilirubin in hepatic jaundice can lead to both diagnostic and symptomatic challenges, requiring medical intervention.