Liver disease Practice Questions

Question 1

A 60-year-old rock musician presents to the office because he has been feeling increasingly tired for the past 6 months. He has a history of intravenous drug use and alcohol abuse. He states that he feels quite tired, but he otherwise has no complaints. Physical examination is noncontributory. His laboratory values are normal other than moderately elevated liver enzymes. Which of the following additional tests should you order first?

Accepted Answer

Hepatitis C virus antibodies

Answer

Hepatitis B surface antigen

Answer

Hepatitis E virus-specific IgM antibodies

Answer

Hepatitis D virus-specific IgG antibody

Answer

Hepatitis A virus-specific IgM antibodies

Question 2

A 59-year-old woman comes to the physician for a routine health maintenance examination. She feels well. She has systemic lupus erythematosus and hypertension. She does not drink alcohol. Her current medications include lisinopril and hydroxychloroquine. She appears malnourished. Her vital signs are within normal limits. Examination shows a soft, nontender abdomen. There is no ascites or hepatosplenomegaly. Serum studies show:
Total bilirubin 1.2 mg/dL
Alkaline phosphatase 60 U/L
Alanine aminotransferase 456 U/L
Aspartate aminotransferase 145 U/L
Hepatitis A IgM antibody negative
Hepatitis A IgG antibody positive
Hepatitis B surface antigen positive
Hepatitis B surface antibody negative
Hepatitis B envelope antigen positive
Hepatitis B envelope antibody negative
Hepatitis B core antigen IgM antibody negative
Hepatitis B core antigen IgG antibody positive
Hepatitis C antibody negative
Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Tenofovir therapy

Answer

Pegylated interferon alpha therapy

Answer

Referral to a liver transplantation center

Answer

Reassurance and follow-up

Answer

Lamivudine therapy

Question 3

A 27-year-old man presents to the emergency department with loss of consciousness. The patient was brought in 20 minutes ago by the supervisor at a homeless shelter who found him passed out next to a bottle of acetaminophen. The patient has a past medical history of HIV, hepatitis C, IV drug abuse, alcohol abuse, suicide attempt, and constipation. He takes methadone daily but is notably non-compliant with his anti-retroviral therapy. His temperature is 104°F (40°C), blood pressure is 85/40 mmHg, pulse is 180/min, respirations are 18/min, and oxygen saturation is 90% on room air. The patient is started on IV fluids, N-acetylcysteine, and 100% oxygen. Blood cultures are obtained, and lab work is sent off. The patient is then started on broad spectrum antibiotics and given norepinephrine. Repeat vitals demonstrate hypotension and tachycardia. Serum toxicology returns and is positive for alcohol. The patient is transferred to the medicine floor and managed further. Two days later, the patient's vitals have improved. Repeat lab values are ordered and return as follows:

Hemoglobin: 11 g/dL
Hematocrit: 30%
Leukocyte count: 6,500 cells/mm^3 with normal differential
Platelet count: 245,000/mm^3

Serum:
Na+: 138 mEq/L
Cl-: 100 mEq/L
K+: 4.1 mEq/L
HCO3-: 22 mEq/L
BUN: 30 mg/dL
Glucose: 145 mg/dL
Creatinine: 1.4 mg/dL
Ca2+: 9.6 mg/dL
AST: 1,440 U/L
ALT: 1,350 U/L

Which of the following is the best explanation for this patient’s laboratory abnormalities?

Accepted Answer

Toxic liver metabolite

Answer

Antibiotic use

Answer

Chronic viral infection

Answer

Alcohol abuse

Answer

Previous hypotension

Question 4

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?

Accepted Answer

Empiric antibiotics

Answer

Diagnostic paracentesis

Answer

Large volume paracentesis

Answer

Intravenous albumin

Answer

Non-selective beta-blockers

Question 5

A 55-year-old patient who immigrated from the Middle East to the United States 10 years ago presents to the emergency department because of excessive weakness, abdominal discomfort, and weight loss for the past 10 months. He has had type 2 diabetes mellitus for 10 years for which he takes metformin. He had an appendectomy 12 years ago in his home country, and his postoperative course was not complicated. He denies smoking and drinks alcohol socially. His blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg, pulse is 75/min, and temperature is 37.1°C (98.7°F). On physical examination, the patient appears exhausted, and his sclerae are yellowish. A firm mass is palpated in the right upper abdominal quadrant. Abdominal ultrasonography shows liver surface nodularity, splenomegaly, and increased diameter of the portal vein. Which of the following is the most common complication of this patient condition?

Accepted Answer

Ascites

Answer

Hepatopulmonary syndrome

Answer

Hepatic encephalopathy

Answer

Hepatorenal syndrome

Answer

Hepatic osteodystrophy

Question 6

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?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol cessation

Answer

Antiviral therapy

Answer

Immunosuppressive therapy

Answer

Hormone replacement

Answer

Vitamin repletion

Question 7

A 27-year-old woman presents to the emergency department complaining of a left-sided headache and right-sided blurry vision. She states that 2 weeks ago she developed dark urine and abdominal pain. She thought it was a urinary tract infection so she took trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole that she had left over. She planned on going to her primary care physician today but then she developed headache and blurry vision so she came to the emergency department. The patient states she is otherwise healthy. Her family history is significant for a brother with sickle cell trait. On physical examination, there is mild abdominal tenderness, and the liver edge is felt 4 cm below the right costal margin. Labs are drawn as below:

Hemoglobin: 7.0 g/dL
Platelets: 149,000/mm^3
Reticulocyte count: 5.4%
Lactate dehydrogenase: 3128 U/L

Total bilirubin: 2.1 mg/dL
Indirect bilirubin: 1.4 mg/dL
Aspartate aminotransferase: 78 U/L
Alanine aminotransferase: 64 U/L

A peripheral smear shows polychromasia. A Doppler ultrasound of the liver shows decreased flow in the right hepatic vein. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain is pending. Which of the following tests, if performed, would most likely identify the patient’s diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Flow cytometry

Answer

Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase levels

Answer

Anti-histone antibodies

Answer

Bone marrow biopsy

Answer

Hemoglobin electrophoresis

Question 8

A 32-year-old woman presents to her family physician with a long history of depression, irritability, and, more recently, personality changes. As her partner comments, she has stopped engaging in activities she used to enjoy like dancing, drumming lessons, and yoga. The patient denies changes in skin pigmentation and assures she keeps a balanced diet low in fat and carbohydrates. During the physical examination, jaundice and dark rings encircling the iris of the eye are noted, as well as hepatomegaly and gait disturbances. For a follow-up visit, the patient brings a battery of laboratory tests that includes a complete blood count showing normocytic normochromic anemia, a negative Coombs, normal iron levels, normal fasting glucose levels, elevated aminotransferases from the liver biochemical tests, bilirubin, and decreased serum ceruloplasmin levels. Antinuclear antibodies are negative. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Wilson disease

Answer

Primary sclerosing cholangitis

Answer

Hemochromatosis

Answer

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Answer

Autoimmune hepatitis

Question 9

A 44-year-old man comes to the physician for a routine health maintenance examination. He had not seen his primary care physician for 7 years. He has no complaints other than feeling easily fatigued. He has no significant medical history. He reports drinking half a pint of liquor a day. His temperature is 98.7°F (37.1°C), pulse is 65/min, respiratory rate is 15/min, and blood pressure is 120/70 mm Hg. Physical examination shows reddish color to both of his palms. His abdomen has no focal tenderness but is difficult to assess due to distention. Laboratory studies show:
Hemoglobin 11.0 g/dL
Hematocrit 33%
Leukocyte count 5,000/mm3
Platelet count 60,000/mm3
Serum
Na+ 135 mEq/L
K+ 4.5 mEq/L
Cl- 100 mEq/L
HCO3- 24 mEq/L
Urea nitrogen 15 mg/dL
Creatinine 1.3 mg/dL
Total bilirubin 3.0 mg/dL
AST 112 U/L
ALT 80 U/L
Alkaline phosphatase 130 U/L
Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this patient's thrombocytopenia?

Accepted Answer

Hypersplenism

Answer

Uremia

Answer

Autoimmune antibodies

Answer

Bone marrow infiltration

Answer

Decreased protein synthesis

Question 10

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?

Accepted Answer

Chronic viral hepatitis

Answer

Autoimmune hepatitis

Answer

Congestive hepatopathy

Answer

Primary biliary cirrhosis

Answer

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Liver disease

Study Resources

Lessons

Questions

Flashcards

Lessons

Viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D, E)

Alcoholic liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Drug-induced liver injury

Autoimmune hepatitis

Cirrhosis management

Portal hypertension complications

Ascites diagnosis and management

Hepatic encephalopathy

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Hepatorenal syndrome

Hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver transplantation

Practice Questions

Flashcards

About Liver disease for USMLE

Lessons in Liver disease

Master Liver disease