Hurst Readiness Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

In a client diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, you should anticipate finding a firm, nodular liver. Cirrhosis is characterized by progressive scarring of the liver due to long-term damage, commonly from factors such as chronic alcohol abuse, viral hepatitis, or fatty liver disease. As the liver tissue becomes fibrotic, the normal architecture of the liver is disrupted, leading to a firm and nodular texture upon examination or imaging.

Increased serum albumin levels, lowered ammonia levels, and increased hemoglobin levels are not typical findings associated with cirrhosis. In fact, cirrhosis often leads to decreased albumin levels due to impaired protein synthesis capabilities of the damaged liver. Ammonia levels can be elevated due to the liver's reduced ability to metabolize ammonia into urea, which can increase the risk of hepatic encephalopathy. Additionally, hemoglobin levels may not necessarily be increased and can vary based on a variety of other factors but are not a defining characteristic of cirrhosis. Thus, identifying a firm, nodular liver aligns with the expected pathological changes in a patient with this condition.