What lab abnormality is commonly a result of liver failure?

In cases of liver failure, one of the most significant lab abnormalities seen is elevated ammonia levels. The liver plays a crucial role in detoxifying ammonia, a byproduct of protein metabolism, by converting it into urea, which is then excreted by the kidneys. When liver function declines, this conversion process is impaired, leading to an accumulation of ammonia in the bloodstream, which can result in hepatic encephalopathy and other complications.

Besides elevated ammonia, decreased sodium levels, a condition known as hyponatremia, is also frequently encountered in liver failure due to factors such as dilution caused by fluid retention and impaired excretion of fluids. Elevated potassium levels can sometimes occur, particularly in the context of renal impairment or when patients are on certain medications, but they are not as directly associated with liver failure itself as elevated ammonia and decreased sodium levels are.

Choosing an option that includes all abnormalities except for elevated potassium is accurate in the context of common lab findings in liver failure because while potassium levels may fluctuate due to various factors, they are not a hallmark lab abnormality directly resulting from liver dysfunction when compared to elevated ammonia and decreased sodium levels.