Hepatorenal syndrome — MCQs

A 65-year-old man presents with generalized edema and dyspnea on exertion. He also complains of easy bruising and nasal bleeding. Past medical history is significant for a right-sided myocardial infarction 4 years ago. Current medications are metoprolol, aspirin, and rosuvastatin. His vital signs are as follows: blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg, heart rate 78/min, respiratory rate 17/min, and temperature 36.5℃ (97.7℉). On physical examination, the patient is pale and acrocyanotic with cold extremities. Cardiac examination shows the right displacement of the apical beat, decreased heart sounds, and the presence of an S3. Abdominal percussion reveals ascites and hepatomegaly. Which of the following hepatic cell types is most sensitive to ischemia?

A 65-year-old man with decompensated cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis C is brought to the emergency department with 2 episodes of massive hematemesis that started 2 hours ago. He is a liver transplant candidate. The blood pressure is 110/85 mm Hg in the supine position and 90/70 mm Hg after sitting for 3 minutes. The pulse is 110/min, the respirations are 22/min, and the temperature is 36.1°C (97.0°F). The physical examination shows spider angiomata, palmar erythema, and symmetric abdominal distension with positive shifting dullness. The lung and heart examination shows no abnormalities. Two large-bore intravenous lines are obtained. Saline (0.9%) is initiated. Laboratory tests are pending. The most important next step is to administer which of the following intravenous therapies?

A 67-year-old man with hypertension comes to the emergency department because of progressively worsening abdominal pain that started 1 week ago. The pain is localized to the right upper quadrant. He has also noticed yellowing of his eyes and skin during this time period. Physical examination shows jaundice, a distended abdomen, and tender hepatomegaly. There is no jugular venous distention. Laboratory studies show a hemoglobin concentration of 19.2 g/dL, aspartate aminotransferase of 420 U/L, alanine aminotransferase of 318 U/L, and total bilirubin of 2.2 mg/dL. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's symptoms?

A 56-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department by her family with altered mental status. Her husband says that she complained of fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain 2 days ago. She has a history of long-standing alcoholism and previous episodes of hepatic encephalopathy. Current vital signs include a temperature of 38.3°C (101°F), blood pressure of 85/60 mm Hg, pulse of 95/min, and a respiratory rate 30/min. On physical examination, the patient appears ill and obtunded. She is noted to have jaundice, a palpable firm liver, and massive abdominal distension with shifting dullness. Which of the following is the best initial step in management of this patient's condition?

A 52-year-old man comes to the physician because of progressive abdominal distention and weight gain over the last 2 months. He was diagnosed with alcoholic liver cirrhosis with large ascites 1 year ago. He has congestive heart failure with a depressed ejection fraction related to his alcohol use. For the last 6 months, he has abstained from alcohol and has followed a low-sodium diet. His current medications include propranolol, spironolactone, and furosemide. His temperature is 36.7°C (98°F), pulse is 90/min, and blood pressure is 109/56 mm Hg. Physical examination shows reddening of the palms, telangiectasias on the face and trunk, and prominent blood vessels around the umbilicus. The abdomen is tense and distended; there is no abdominal tenderness. On percussion of the abdomen, there is dullness that shifts when the patient moves from the supine to the right lateral decubitus position. When the patient stretches out his arms with the wrists extended, a jerky, flapping motion of the hands is seen. Mental status examination shows a decreased attention span. Serum studies show: Sodium 136 mEq/L Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL Albumin 3.6 mg/dL Total bilirubin 1.9 mg/dL INR 1.0 Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in treatment?

A 57-year-old immigrant from Nigeria presents to the emergency department for sudden, severe pain and swelling in her lower extremity. She was at a rehabilitation hospital when her symptoms became apparent. The patient has a past medical history of obesity, diabetes, bipolar disorder, and tonic-clonic seizures. Her current medications include metformin, insulin, lisinopril, and valproic acid. The patient is a prominent IV drug and alcohol user who has presented to the ED many times for intoxication. On physical exam you note anasarca and asymmetric lower extremity swelling. Based on the results of a doppler ultrasound of her swollen lower extremity, heparin is started. The patient is then transferred to the general medicine floor for continued management. Laboratory studies are shown below. Serum: Na+: 137 mEq/L K+: 5.5 mEq/L Cl-: 100 mEq/L HCO3-: 24 mEq/L Urea nitrogen: 22 mg/dL Ca2+: 5.7 mg/dL Creatinine: 1.7 mg/dL Glucose: 70 mg/dL The patient's presentation includes generalized edema (anasarca) along with laboratory abnormalities. What is the most likely underlying diagnosis that explains her overall clinical presentation?

A 58-year-old man presents to the Emergency Department after 3 hours of intense suprapubic pain associated with inability to urinate for the past day or two. His medical history is relevant for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that has been under treatment with prazosin and tadalafil. Upon admission, he is found to have a blood pressure of 180/100 mm Hg, a pulse of 80/min, a respiratory rate of 23/min, and a temperature of 36.5°C (97.7°F). He weighs 84 kg (185.1 lb) and is 175 cm (5 ft 7 in) tall. Physical exam, he has suprapubic tenderness. A bladder scan reveals 700 ml of urine. A Foley catheter is inserted and the urine is drained. Initial laboratory tests and their follow up 8 hours after admission are shown below. Admission 8 hours after admission Serum potassium 4.2 mmol/L Serum potassium 4.0 mmol/L Serum sodium 140 mmol/L Serum sodium 142 mmol/L Serum chloride 102 mmol/L Serum chloride 110 mmol/L Serum creatinine 1.4 mg/dL Serum creatinine 1.6 mg/dL Serum blood urea nitrogen 64 mg/dL Serum blood urea nitrogen 62 mg/dL Urine output 250 mL Urine output 260 mL A senior attending suggests a consultation with Nephrology. Which of the following best justifies this suggestion?

A 49-year-old man presents to the emergency department with abdominal discomfort, fever, and decreased urination. He has a history of liver cirrhosis due to chronic hepatitis C infection. His blood pressure is 90/70 mm Hg, pulse is 75/min, and temperature 38°C (100.4°F). On physical examination he is jaundiced, and he has tense ascites with generalized abdominal tenderness. There is pitting edema to the level of his upper thighs. Which of the following excludes the diagnosis of hepatorenal syndrome in this patient?

A 67-year-old man is brought to the emergency department when he was found obtunded at the homeless shelter. The patient is currently not responsive and smells of alcohol. The patient has a past medical history of alcohol use, IV drug use, and hepatitis C. His temperature is 99°F (37.2°C), blood pressure is 95/65 mmHg, pulse is 95/min, respirations are 13/min, and oxygen saturation is 95% on room air. The patient is started on IV fluids, and his pulse decreases to 70/min. On physical exam, the patient has an abdominal exam notable for distension and a positive fluid wave. The patient displays mild yellow discoloration of his skin. The patient has notable poor dentition and poor hygiene overall. A systolic murmur is heard along the left sternal border on cardiac exam. Pulmonary exam is notable for mild bibasilar crackles. Laboratory values are ordered, and return as below: Hemoglobin: 10 g/dL Hematocrit: 32% Leukocyte count: 7,500 cells/mm^3 with normal differential Platelet count: 227,000/mm^3 Serum: Na+: 125 mEq/L Cl-: 100 mEq/L K+: 5.0 mEq/L HCO3-: 24 mEq/L BUN: 51 mg/dL Glucose: 89 mg/dL Creatinine: 2.2 mg/dL Ca2+: 10.0 mg/dL AST: 22 U/L ALT: 19 U/L Urine: Color: Amber Nitrites: Negative Sodium: 12 mmol/24 hours Red blood cells: 0/hpf Over the next 24 hours, the patient produces very little urine. Which of the following best explains this patient’s renal findings?

A 54-year-old man with known end-stage liver disease from alcoholic cirrhosis presents to the emergency department with decreased urinary output and swelling in his lower extremities. His disease has been complicated by ascites and hepatic encephalopathy in the past. Initial laboratory studies show a creatinine of 1.73 mg/dL up from a previous value of 1.12 one month prior. There have been no new medication changes, and no recent procedures performed. A diagnostic paracentesis is performed that is negative for infection, and he is admitted to the hospital for further management and initiated on albumin. Two days later, his creatinine has risen to 2.34 and he is oliguric. Which of the following is the most definitive treatment for this patient's condition?