In a client with viral hepatitis, the practical nurse should closely monitor for indications of which abnormal laboratory value?

In a client with viral hepatitis, the practical nurse should closely monitor for indications of which abnormal laboratory value?

• A. Prolonged prothrombin time
• B. Decreased calcium
• C. Elevated serum potassium
• D. Decreased vitamins C and E

Answer: (A)

In viral hepatitis, the liver’s ability to synthesize clotting factors is impaired, so the blood’s ability to clot is reduced. Prothrombin time measures the function of the extrinsic pathway and the common pathway, which depend on liver-produced clotting factors (including factors II, VII, IX, and X). When the liver is injured, these factors drop, and the prothrombin time becomes prolonged. Monitoring for a prolonged prothrombin time helps detect a developing coagulopathy and bleeding risk, guiding precautions such as careful handling to prevent bleeding and consideration of treatments like vitamin K if indicated. The other options don’t directly reflect the liver’s synthetic function in acute hepatitis. Calcium levels aren’t a primary indicator of hepatic impairment, potassium isn’t specifically tied to hepatitis-related coagulation status, and vitamins C and E aren’t typical early lab signs used to assess liver function or bleeding risk in this context.

In viral hepatitis, the liver’s ability to synthesize clotting factors is impaired, so the blood’s ability to clot is reduced. Prothrombin time measures the function of the extrinsic pathway and the common pathway, which depend on liver-produced clotting factors (including factors II, VII, IX, and X). When the liver is injured, these factors drop, and the prothrombin time becomes prolonged. Monitoring for a prolonged prothrombin time helps detect a developing coagulopathy and bleeding risk, guiding precautions such as careful handling to prevent bleeding and consideration of treatments like vitamin K if indicated.

The other options don’t directly reflect the liver’s synthetic function in acute hepatitis. Calcium levels aren’t a primary indicator of hepatic impairment, potassium isn’t specifically tied to hepatitis-related coagulation status, and vitamins C and E aren’t typical early lab signs used to assess liver function or bleeding risk in this context.