NSG 3800 Exam 4 Final
Comprehensive Hepatitis and Lab Values
Examination 2026
SECTION 1: LABORATORY VALUES
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a patient with liver disease. Which PT (Prothrombin Time)
value would the nurse recognize as normal?
A. 5-8 seconds
B. 11-12.5 seconds
C. 20-25 seconds
D. 30-35 seconds
ANSWER: B
Rationale for A: Incorrect. 5-8 seconds is below the normal range and would indicate hypercoagulability,
which is not typical in liver disease.
Rationale for B: Correct. The normal PT range is 11-12.5 seconds as indicated in the study materials. This
is an important baseline for assessing liver function and clotting ability.
Rationale for C: Incorrect. 20-25 seconds is elevated and would indicate impaired clotting function,
commonly seen in liver disease but not normal.
Rationale for D: Incorrect. 30-35 seconds is significantly elevated and indicates severe clotting
dysfunction, requiring immediate intervention.
Question 2
The nurse is caring for a patient on heparin therapy. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor to
evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of heparin?
A. PT (Prothrombin Time)
B. PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time)
C. Platelet count
,D. Fibrinogen level
ANSWER: B
Rationale for A: Incorrect. PT is used to monitor warfarin therapy, not heparin. It assesses the extrinsic
pathway of coagulation.
Rationale for B: Correct. PTT (normal range 20-30 seconds) is the primary laboratory test used to
monitor heparin therapy. Therapeutic range is typically 1.5-2.5 times the normal value.
Rationale for C: Incorrect. While platelet count is important to monitor for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia (HIT), it does not measure the therapeutic anticoagulation effect of heparin.
Rationale for D: Incorrect. Fibrinogen levels assess clotting factors but are not the primary monitoring
tool for heparin therapy.
Question 3
A patient's laboratory results show a platelet count of 95,000/mm³. How should the nurse interpret this
finding?
A. Normal platelet count
B. Mild thrombocytosis
C. Thrombocytopenia
D. Critical thrombocytosis
ANSWER: C
Rationale for A: Incorrect. Normal platelet count is 150,000-400,000/mm³. A count of 95,000 is below
normal.
Rationale for B: Incorrect. Thrombocytosis refers to elevated platelet counts (>400,000/mm³), not
decreased counts.
Rationale for C: Correct. Thrombocytopenia is defined as a platelet count below 150,000/mm³. A count
of 95,000 indicates moderate thrombocytopenia, which can occur in liver disease due to decreased
production and splenic sequestration.
Rationale for D: Incorrect. This would indicate a very high platelet count, not a low count.
Question 4
The nurse is reviewing lab values for a patient with suspected liver disease. Which ammonia level would
be considered elevated?
A. 8 mcg/dL
B. 12 mcg/dL
C. 18 mcg/dL
,D. All of the above are normal
ANSWER: C
Rationale for A: Incorrect. 8 mcg/dL is within the normal range of 15-110 mcg/dL as stated in the study
materials.
Rationale for B: Incorrect. 12 mcg/dL is below the normal range and not clinically concerning.
Rationale for C: Correct. An ammonia level of 18 mcg/dL is elevated above the normal range of 15-110
mcg/dL. Elevated ammonia is significant in liver disease as the liver cannot adequately convert ammonia
to urea, potentially leading to hepatic encephalopathy.
Rationale for D: Incorrect. While A and B are normal, C is elevated.
Question 5
A patient with liver disease has a calcium level of 7.8 mg/dL. What is the nurse's best interpretation of
this finding?
A. Normal calcium level
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Critical hypercalcemia
ANSWER: C
Rationale for A: Incorrect. Normal calcium range is 9-10.5 mg/dL according to the study materials. 7.8
mg/dL is below normal.
Rationale for B: Incorrect. Hypercalcemia would be an elevated calcium level above 10.5 mg/dL.
Rationale for C: Correct. The patient has hypocalcemia. Normal calcium is 9-10.5 mg/dL. In liver disease,
hypocalcemia can occur due to decreased albumin (which binds calcium), vitamin D metabolism issues,
and malabsorption.
Rationale for D: Incorrect. This would indicate a severely elevated calcium level, not a low level.
Question 6
The nurse is reviewing glucose levels for a patient with liver disease. Which glucose range is considered
normal?
A. 50-70 mg/dL
B. 70-110 mg/dL
C. 120-150 mg/dL
D. 150-200 mg/dL
ANSWER: B
, Rationale for A: Incorrect. 50-70 mg/dL indicates hypoglycemia, which can occur in liver disease but is
not the normal range.
Rationale for B: Correct. Normal fasting glucose is 70-110 mg/dL as indicated in the study materials. The
liver plays a crucial role in glucose metabolism through glycogen storage and gluconeogenesis.
Rationale for C: Incorrect. 120-150 mg/dL indicates hyperglycemia and may suggest diabetes or impaired
glucose tolerance.
Rationale for D: Incorrect. 150-200 mg/dL is significantly elevated and indicates poor glucose control or
diabetes.
Question 7
A patient's laboratory results show an ALT level of 125 IU/mL. How should the nurse interpret this
finding?
A. Normal ALT level
B. Mildly elevated ALT
C. Significantly elevated ALT indicating liver damage
D. Critically low ALT
ANSWER: C
Rationale for A: Incorrect. Normal ALT is 7-56 IU/mL according to study materials. 125 IU/mL is well
above normal.
Rationale for B: Incorrect. While this is elevated, 125 IU/mL represents more than mild elevation and
indicates significant hepatocellular damage.
Rationale for C: Correct. ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) normal range is 7-56 IU/mL. A level of 125
IU/mL is significantly elevated and indicates active liver cell damage or inflammation, commonly seen in
hepatitis.
Rationale for D: Incorrect. Low ALT levels are not typically clinically significant; elevated levels are the
concern.
Question 8
The nurse is reviewing AST levels for a patient. Which value represents the normal range?
A. 0-5 IU/mL
B. 10-40 IU/mL
C. 50-100 IU/mL
D. 100-200 IU/mL
ANSWER: B
Comprehensive Hepatitis and Lab Values
Examination 2026
SECTION 1: LABORATORY VALUES
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a patient with liver disease. Which PT (Prothrombin Time)
value would the nurse recognize as normal?
A. 5-8 seconds
B. 11-12.5 seconds
C. 20-25 seconds
D. 30-35 seconds
ANSWER: B
Rationale for A: Incorrect. 5-8 seconds is below the normal range and would indicate hypercoagulability,
which is not typical in liver disease.
Rationale for B: Correct. The normal PT range is 11-12.5 seconds as indicated in the study materials. This
is an important baseline for assessing liver function and clotting ability.
Rationale for C: Incorrect. 20-25 seconds is elevated and would indicate impaired clotting function,
commonly seen in liver disease but not normal.
Rationale for D: Incorrect. 30-35 seconds is significantly elevated and indicates severe clotting
dysfunction, requiring immediate intervention.
Question 2
The nurse is caring for a patient on heparin therapy. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor to
evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of heparin?
A. PT (Prothrombin Time)
B. PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time)
C. Platelet count
,D. Fibrinogen level
ANSWER: B
Rationale for A: Incorrect. PT is used to monitor warfarin therapy, not heparin. It assesses the extrinsic
pathway of coagulation.
Rationale for B: Correct. PTT (normal range 20-30 seconds) is the primary laboratory test used to
monitor heparin therapy. Therapeutic range is typically 1.5-2.5 times the normal value.
Rationale for C: Incorrect. While platelet count is important to monitor for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia (HIT), it does not measure the therapeutic anticoagulation effect of heparin.
Rationale for D: Incorrect. Fibrinogen levels assess clotting factors but are not the primary monitoring
tool for heparin therapy.
Question 3
A patient's laboratory results show a platelet count of 95,000/mm³. How should the nurse interpret this
finding?
A. Normal platelet count
B. Mild thrombocytosis
C. Thrombocytopenia
D. Critical thrombocytosis
ANSWER: C
Rationale for A: Incorrect. Normal platelet count is 150,000-400,000/mm³. A count of 95,000 is below
normal.
Rationale for B: Incorrect. Thrombocytosis refers to elevated platelet counts (>400,000/mm³), not
decreased counts.
Rationale for C: Correct. Thrombocytopenia is defined as a platelet count below 150,000/mm³. A count
of 95,000 indicates moderate thrombocytopenia, which can occur in liver disease due to decreased
production and splenic sequestration.
Rationale for D: Incorrect. This would indicate a very high platelet count, not a low count.
Question 4
The nurse is reviewing lab values for a patient with suspected liver disease. Which ammonia level would
be considered elevated?
A. 8 mcg/dL
B. 12 mcg/dL
C. 18 mcg/dL
,D. All of the above are normal
ANSWER: C
Rationale for A: Incorrect. 8 mcg/dL is within the normal range of 15-110 mcg/dL as stated in the study
materials.
Rationale for B: Incorrect. 12 mcg/dL is below the normal range and not clinically concerning.
Rationale for C: Correct. An ammonia level of 18 mcg/dL is elevated above the normal range of 15-110
mcg/dL. Elevated ammonia is significant in liver disease as the liver cannot adequately convert ammonia
to urea, potentially leading to hepatic encephalopathy.
Rationale for D: Incorrect. While A and B are normal, C is elevated.
Question 5
A patient with liver disease has a calcium level of 7.8 mg/dL. What is the nurse's best interpretation of
this finding?
A. Normal calcium level
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Critical hypercalcemia
ANSWER: C
Rationale for A: Incorrect. Normal calcium range is 9-10.5 mg/dL according to the study materials. 7.8
mg/dL is below normal.
Rationale for B: Incorrect. Hypercalcemia would be an elevated calcium level above 10.5 mg/dL.
Rationale for C: Correct. The patient has hypocalcemia. Normal calcium is 9-10.5 mg/dL. In liver disease,
hypocalcemia can occur due to decreased albumin (which binds calcium), vitamin D metabolism issues,
and malabsorption.
Rationale for D: Incorrect. This would indicate a severely elevated calcium level, not a low level.
Question 6
The nurse is reviewing glucose levels for a patient with liver disease. Which glucose range is considered
normal?
A. 50-70 mg/dL
B. 70-110 mg/dL
C. 120-150 mg/dL
D. 150-200 mg/dL
ANSWER: B
, Rationale for A: Incorrect. 50-70 mg/dL indicates hypoglycemia, which can occur in liver disease but is
not the normal range.
Rationale for B: Correct. Normal fasting glucose is 70-110 mg/dL as indicated in the study materials. The
liver plays a crucial role in glucose metabolism through glycogen storage and gluconeogenesis.
Rationale for C: Incorrect. 120-150 mg/dL indicates hyperglycemia and may suggest diabetes or impaired
glucose tolerance.
Rationale for D: Incorrect. 150-200 mg/dL is significantly elevated and indicates poor glucose control or
diabetes.
Question 7
A patient's laboratory results show an ALT level of 125 IU/mL. How should the nurse interpret this
finding?
A. Normal ALT level
B. Mildly elevated ALT
C. Significantly elevated ALT indicating liver damage
D. Critically low ALT
ANSWER: C
Rationale for A: Incorrect. Normal ALT is 7-56 IU/mL according to study materials. 125 IU/mL is well
above normal.
Rationale for B: Incorrect. While this is elevated, 125 IU/mL represents more than mild elevation and
indicates significant hepatocellular damage.
Rationale for C: Correct. ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) normal range is 7-56 IU/mL. A level of 125
IU/mL is significantly elevated and indicates active liver cell damage or inflammation, commonly seen in
hepatitis.
Rationale for D: Incorrect. Low ALT levels are not typically clinically significant; elevated levels are the
concern.
Question 8
The nurse is reviewing AST levels for a patient. Which value represents the normal range?
A. 0-5 IU/mL
B. 10-40 IU/mL
C. 50-100 IU/mL
D. 100-200 IU/mL
ANSWER: B
