Blood filtration

The liver is a complex organ with many contributions to homeostasis that are often not appreciated until liver function declines. The liver has the capacity to rebound and regenerate after a variety of acute chemically or virally induced insults, but it is vulnerable to chronic chemical or infectious damage.

What blood tests are appropriate for a patient with a suspected acute liver injury?

Explain the rationale for ordering these tests, and patterns of results that you might see in a patient with acute HAV infection.

Requirements: 300

Answer preview

Acute hepatitis infection worldwide is primarily caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). Patients with acute viral hepatitis infection present symptoms such as vomiting, nauseous, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, and malaise. Some results expected from a patient with acute viral hepatitis after conducting liver blood tests, such as AST and ALT, include increased ammonia levels, elevated serum bilirubin, and elevation of serum transaminases.

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