An elderly patient with signs of chronic liver disease including scleral icterus and edema has dysfunction of which organ?

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Multiple Choice

An elderly patient with signs of chronic liver disease including scleral icterus and edema has dysfunction of which organ?

Explanation:
Liver dysfunction best explains these findings. Scleral icterus signals jaundice from bilirubin buildup, which occurs when the liver cannot properly process and excrete bilirubin in chronic liver disease. Edema arises because the diseased liver produces less albumin, lowering plasma oncotic pressure and allowing fluid to leak into tissues; portal hypertension from liver disease can also drive fluid shifts and ascites. Dysfunction of the pancreas, kidneys, or spleen would not as directly cause both jaundice and edema in this context.

Liver dysfunction best explains these findings. Scleral icterus signals jaundice from bilirubin buildup, which occurs when the liver cannot properly process and excrete bilirubin in chronic liver disease. Edema arises because the diseased liver produces less albumin, lowering plasma oncotic pressure and allowing fluid to leak into tissues; portal hypertension from liver disease can also drive fluid shifts and ascites. Dysfunction of the pancreas, kidneys, or spleen would not as directly cause both jaundice and edema in this context.

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