A nurse is assessing a client with suspected liver disease. Which symptom is most concerning and indicative of advanced liver disease?

A) Incorrect. Cirrhosis is a chronic condition that develops over an extended period, often years, rather than rapidly within a few weeks.

B) Correct. In cirrhosis, healthy liver tissue is gradually replaced by scar tissue, which impairs liver function. This progressive replacement of functional tissue with fibrous tissue leads to the loss of normal liver function.

C) Incorrect. While cirrhosis can affect the biliary system, it is not the primary mechanism of damage.

D) Incorrect. Cirrhosis is considered an irreversible condition, although early intervention and treatment can help manage symptoms and slow its progression.

A) Incorrect. Liver function tests do not directly visualize the liver's structure. They assess biochemical markers in the blood related to liver function.

B) Correct. Liver function tests measure specific markers in the blood to evaluate how well the liver is functioning and to identify signs of damage or dysfunction.

C) Incorrect. Liver function tests do not primarily involve measuring blood flow through the liver. They focus on assessing biochemical markers.

D) Incorrect. While liver function tests can provide information about viral infections in the liver, they are not primarily used for this purpose. Specific viral tests would be ordered if infection is suspected.