Which lab finding would you expect with hepatic dysfunction?

Which lab finding would you expect with hepatic dysfunction?

• A. Elevated ALT
• B. Prolonged INR
• C. Low AST
• D. Low bilirubin

Answer: (B)

Hepatic dysfunction often means the liver isn’t able to synthesize clotting factors properly. The INR measures how long it takes blood to clot via the extrinsic pathway, which relies on liver-made factors II, VII, IX, and X. When the liver’s synthetic function is impaired, these factors are reduced, leading to a longer clotting time and a prolonged INR. Enzymes like ALT and AST indicate hepatocellular injury and can be elevated, but they don’t directly reflect the liver’s ability to synthesize clotting factors. Bilirubin levels tend to rise with liver dysfunction as conjugation and excretion are impaired, so a low bilirubin wouldn’t fit. That’s why a prolonged INR is the most consistent finding with hepatic dysfunction among the options.

Hepatic dysfunction often means the liver isn’t able to synthesize clotting factors properly. The INR measures how long it takes blood to clot via the extrinsic pathway, which relies on liver-made factors II, VII, IX, and X. When the liver’s synthetic function is impaired, these factors are reduced, leading to a longer clotting time and a prolonged INR.

Enzymes like ALT and AST indicate hepatocellular injury and can be elevated, but they don’t directly reflect the liver’s ability to synthesize clotting factors. Bilirubin levels tend to rise with liver dysfunction as conjugation and excretion are impaired, so a low bilirubin wouldn’t fit. That’s why a prolonged INR is the most consistent finding with hepatic dysfunction among the options.