Nursing 354 Liver Disorders Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. Which laboratory value is most specific for assessing hepatocellular injury?
A. Serum albumin
B. Alkaline phosphatase
C. Alanine aminotransferase
D. Total bilirubin
Answer: Alanine aminotransferase
Rationale: Alanine aminotransferase is primarily found in hepatocytes and is a
sensitive marker of hepatocellular injury.
2. A patient with cirrhosis develops increasing abdominal girth. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Ascites
B. Pancreatitis
C. Cholecystitis
D. Appendicitis
Answer: Ascites
,Rationale: Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity and is a
common complication of advanced cirrhosis.
3. Which finding is most characteristic of hepatic encephalopathy?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Asterixis
C. Severe hypertension
D. Increased muscle strength
Answer: Asterixis
Rationale: Asterixis, or a flapping tremor of the hands, is a classic finding
associated with hepatic encephalopathy.
4. Which substance is primarily responsible for the neurologic manifestations of
hepatic encephalopathy?
A. Calcium
B. Ammonia
C. Glucose
D. Potassium
Answer: Ammonia
Rationale: Impaired hepatic detoxification allows ammonia and other
neurotoxins to accumulate, contributing to altered mental status and neurologic
changes.
5. A patient with hepatic encephalopathy is prescribed lactulose. What is the
primary purpose of this medication?
A. Increase bile production
B. Reduce intestinal ammonia absorption
,C. Prevent gastrointestinal bleeding
D. Increase serum albumin
Answer: Reduce intestinal ammonia absorption
Rationale: Lactulose acidifies the colon and promotes the conversion and
elimination of ammonia through the stool, reducing its absorption.
6. Which assessment finding in a patient with cirrhosis requires the most
immediate attention?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Spider angiomas
C. New confusion and disorientation
D. Decreased appetite
Answer: New confusion and disorientation
Rationale: New neurologic changes may indicate hepatic encephalopathy and
require prompt assessment and treatment.
7. Which laboratory finding is commonly associated with impaired liver
synthetic function?
A. Increased albumin
B. Decreased albumin
C. Increased hemoglobin
D. Decreased serum sodium only
Answer: Decreased albumin
Rationale: The liver synthesizes albumin, so advanced liver dysfunction can
result in hypoalbuminemia and contribute to edema and ascites.
, 8. Which laboratory test is most useful for evaluating the liver's ability to
synthesize clotting factors?
A. Prothrombin time
B. Serum amylase
C. Troponin
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: Prothrombin time
Rationale: The liver synthesizes many clotting factors, so prolonged prothrombin
time or increased international normalized ratio can indicate impaired hepatic
synthetic function.
9. A patient with cirrhosis has bleeding esophageal varices. Which medication
may be prescribed to reduce portal pressure?
A. Propranolol
B. Furosemide
C. Metformin
D. Digoxin
Answer: Propranolol
Rationale: Nonselective beta blockers such as propranolol can reduce portal
pressure and help decrease the risk of variceal hemorrhage.
10. Which finding is most concerning in a patient with known esophageal
varices?
A. Mild nausea
B. Black, tarry stools
C. Dry skin
D. Increased appetite
Answer: Black, tarry stools
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. Which laboratory value is most specific for assessing hepatocellular injury?
A. Serum albumin
B. Alkaline phosphatase
C. Alanine aminotransferase
D. Total bilirubin
Answer: Alanine aminotransferase
Rationale: Alanine aminotransferase is primarily found in hepatocytes and is a
sensitive marker of hepatocellular injury.
2. A patient with cirrhosis develops increasing abdominal girth. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Ascites
B. Pancreatitis
C. Cholecystitis
D. Appendicitis
Answer: Ascites
,Rationale: Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity and is a
common complication of advanced cirrhosis.
3. Which finding is most characteristic of hepatic encephalopathy?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Asterixis
C. Severe hypertension
D. Increased muscle strength
Answer: Asterixis
Rationale: Asterixis, or a flapping tremor of the hands, is a classic finding
associated with hepatic encephalopathy.
4. Which substance is primarily responsible for the neurologic manifestations of
hepatic encephalopathy?
A. Calcium
B. Ammonia
C. Glucose
D. Potassium
Answer: Ammonia
Rationale: Impaired hepatic detoxification allows ammonia and other
neurotoxins to accumulate, contributing to altered mental status and neurologic
changes.
5. A patient with hepatic encephalopathy is prescribed lactulose. What is the
primary purpose of this medication?
A. Increase bile production
B. Reduce intestinal ammonia absorption
,C. Prevent gastrointestinal bleeding
D. Increase serum albumin
Answer: Reduce intestinal ammonia absorption
Rationale: Lactulose acidifies the colon and promotes the conversion and
elimination of ammonia through the stool, reducing its absorption.
6. Which assessment finding in a patient with cirrhosis requires the most
immediate attention?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Spider angiomas
C. New confusion and disorientation
D. Decreased appetite
Answer: New confusion and disorientation
Rationale: New neurologic changes may indicate hepatic encephalopathy and
require prompt assessment and treatment.
7. Which laboratory finding is commonly associated with impaired liver
synthetic function?
A. Increased albumin
B. Decreased albumin
C. Increased hemoglobin
D. Decreased serum sodium only
Answer: Decreased albumin
Rationale: The liver synthesizes albumin, so advanced liver dysfunction can
result in hypoalbuminemia and contribute to edema and ascites.
, 8. Which laboratory test is most useful for evaluating the liver's ability to
synthesize clotting factors?
A. Prothrombin time
B. Serum amylase
C. Troponin
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: Prothrombin time
Rationale: The liver synthesizes many clotting factors, so prolonged prothrombin
time or increased international normalized ratio can indicate impaired hepatic
synthetic function.
9. A patient with cirrhosis has bleeding esophageal varices. Which medication
may be prescribed to reduce portal pressure?
A. Propranolol
B. Furosemide
C. Metformin
D. Digoxin
Answer: Propranolol
Rationale: Nonselective beta blockers such as propranolol can reduce portal
pressure and help decrease the risk of variceal hemorrhage.
10. Which finding is most concerning in a patient with known esophageal
varices?
A. Mild nausea
B. Black, tarry stools
C. Dry skin
D. Increased appetite
Answer: Black, tarry stools
