Liver disease — MCQs

A 42-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 2-month history of generalized itching and worsening fatigue. There is no personal or family history of serious illness. She takes eye drops for dry eyes. She occasionally takes acetaminophen for recurrent headaches. She drinks one alcoholic beverage daily. Vital signs are within normal limits. Examination shows jaundice and a nontender abdomen. The liver is palpated 3 cm below the right costal margin and the spleen is palpated 2 cm below the left costal margin. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 15.3 g/dL Leukocyte count 8,400/mm3 Prothrombin time 13 seconds Serum Bilirubin Total 3.5 mg/dL Direct 2.4 mg/dL Alkaline phosphatase 396 U/L Aspartate aminotransferase (AST, GOT) 79 U/L Alanine aminotransferase (ALT, GPT) 73 U/L A liver biopsy specimen shows inflammation and destruction of small- and medium-sized intrahepatic bile ducts. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) shows multiple small stones within the gallbladder and a normal appearance of extrahepatic bile ducts. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 59-year-old man comes to the emergency department because of progressive abdominal swelling and shortness of breath for 1 week. He drinks 12 to 13 alcoholic beverages daily. He appears emaciated. Examination shows pallor, jaundice, hepatomegaly, gynecomastia, and a protuberant abdomen with a fluid wave and shifting dullness. Periodic monitoring of which of the following markers is most appropriate for this patient?

A 45-year-old man comes to the clinic complaining of yellow skin and eyes, loss of appetite, and severe nausea over the last month or so. He drinks 2–3 beers everyday and about 5–6 on the weekend. He does not take any over-the-counter medications. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes every day for the last 20 years but does not use illicit drugs. Additionally, he reports no history of vomiting, abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, or unintentional weight loss. His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), blood pressure is 135/85 mm Hg, pulse is 78/ min, respiratory rate is 14/ min, and BMI is 19 kg/m2. On physical examination his skin and sclera are icteric, and his abdomen is tender with a mildly enlarged liver. On laboratory investigations: Complete blood count Hemoglobin 11 g/dL MCV 105 µm3 White blood cell 14,000/mm3 Platelets 110,000/mm3 Which of the following liver function analyses is expected in this patient?

A 54-year-old male presents to the emergency department after an episode of bloody vomiting. He is a chronic alcoholic with a history of cirrhosis, and this is the third time he is presenting with this complaint. His first two episodes of hematemesis required endoscopic management of bleeding esophageal varices. His hemoglobin on admission laboratory evaluation was 11.2 g/dL. The patient is stabilized, and upper endoscopy is performed with successful banding of bleeding varices. Follow-up lab-work shows hemoglobin levels of 10.9 g/dL and 11.1 g/dL on days 1 and 2 after admission. Which of the following is the best next step in the management of this patient?

A 55-year-old woman presents to the office complaining of leg ulcers for the past 6 months. She has a chronic history of severe rheumatoid arthritis controlled with methotrexate. She does not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. Her vitals are normal. Her lungs are clear to auscultation. The abdomen is soft and non-tender with a palpable spleen tip on inspiration. Skin examination shows scattered ulcers on the legs in various stages of healing. Additionally, metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints are tender. Varicose veins are not observed. Laboratory results are as follows: Hemoglobin 10.5 g/dL MCV 74 fl Platelets 226,000/mm3 White blood cells 2500/mm3 Neutrophils 20% Alanine aminotransferase 36 U/L Aspartate aminotransferase 39 U/L Creatinine 1.0 mg/dL HIV test is negative. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's condition?

A 56-year-old African American presents to the emergency department due to abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss over the past 3 months. He has a long-standing history of chronic hepatitis B virus infection complicated by cirrhosis. On examination, he has jaundice, leg edema, and a palpable mass in the right upper abdominal quadrant. Abdominal ultrasound shows a 3-cm liver mass with poorly defined margins and coarse, irregular internal echoes. Lab results are shown: Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 90 U/L Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 50 U/L Total bilirubin 2 mg/dL Albumin 3 g/dL Alkaline phosphatase 100 U/L Alpha-fetoprotein 600 ng/mL Which of the following is a feature of this patient's condition?

A 48-year-old homeless male presents to the ED because he hasn’t felt well recently. He states that he has been feeling nauseous and extremely weak over the past few days. He has several previous admissions for alcohol intoxication and uses heroin occasionally. His temperature is 100.9°F (38.3°C), blood pressure is 127/89 mmHg, and pulse is 101/min. His physical examination is notable for palmar erythema, tender hepatomegaly, and gynecomastia. His laboratory findings are notable for: AST: 170 U/L ALT: 60 U/L GGT: 400 (normal range: 0-45 U/L) Alkaline phosphatase: 150 IU/L Direct bilirubin: 0.2 mg/dL Total bilirubin: 0.8 mg/dL WBC: 10,500 Serum iron: 100 µg/dL TIBC: 300 µg/dL (normal range: 250–370 µg/dL) Serum acetaminophen screen: Negative Serum AFP: 6 ng/mL (normal range: < 10ng/mL) Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient’s symptoms?

A 47-year-old man presents with a history of a frequent unpleasant crawling sensation in both of his legs accompanied by an urge to move his legs for the last 6 months. He continuously moves his legs to provide him with partial relief from the unpleasant feelings in his legs. The symptoms are especially severe during the night or while lying down in bed after returning from work. These symptoms occur 3–5 days per week. He also complains of significant daytime fatigue and sleep disturbances on most days of the week. He is advised to take a polysomnography test, which reveals periodic limb movements (PLMs) during his sleep. Which of the following conditions is most associated with secondary restless legs syndrome?

A 48-year-old man presents to the emergency department with shortness of breath. He reports that 6 months ago he was able to walk several miles without stopping. Yesterday, he became short of breath walking from his bed to the bathroom. He also endorses worsening abdominal distension and leg swelling, which he reports is new from several months ago. The patient has a past medical history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia. He admits to drinking 6-8 beers daily for the past 10 years. On physical exam, the patient has moderate abdominal distension and pitting edema to the knee. Crackles are present at the bilateral bases. Laboratory testing reveals the following: Hemoglobin: 13.4 g/dL Mean corpuscular volume (MCV): 102 μm³ Leukocyte count: 11,200/mm³ with normal differential Platelet count: 256,000/mm³ Serum: Na+: 137 mEq/L Cl-: 100 mEq/L K+: 4.2 mEq/L HCO3-: 25 mEq/L BUN: 18 mg/dL Glucose: 126 mg/dL Creatinine: 0.9 mg/dL Alkaline phosphatase: 88 U/L Aspartate aminotransferase (AST): 212 U/L Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): 104 U/L Which of the following is the best next step in management?

A 52-year-old man comes to the physician because his skin has been progressively yellowing for the past 4 weeks. He also reports low appetite and difficulty fitting into his pants because of his swollen legs over the past several months. There is no personal or family history of serious illness. He does not smoke and drinks 1 to 2 beers on special occasions. He used to be sexually active with multiple female partners but has lost interest in sexual intercourse recently. He is 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) tall and weighs 68 kg (150 lb); his BMI is 22 kg/m2. Vital signs are within normal limits. Physical examination shows yellowing of the skin and sclera as well as erythema of the palms. There is bilateral enlargement of breast tissue. Cardiopulmonary examinations show no abnormalities. The abdomen is distended. The liver is palpated 2 to 3 cm below the right costal margin. On percussion of the left abdomen, a thrill can be felt on the right side. Hepatojugular reflux is absent. There is bilateral edema below the knees. Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause of this patient's condition?