Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

What condition is diagnosed in a 45-year-old male with fatigue, nausea, darker urine, yellow skin tinge, and elevated liver enzymes?

1. Acute appendicitis

2. Gallbladder disease

3. Cirrhosis of the liver

4. Acute hepatitis

The correct answer is: Acute hepatitis

The symptoms presented—fatigue, nausea, darker urine, yellow skin tinge (jaundice), and elevated liver enzymes—point toward a diagnosis of acute hepatitis. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the liver, often due to viral infections, toxins, or autoimmune issues. The presence of jaundice indicates a bilirubin buildup, which typically occurs when the liver is not functioning properly. Elevated liver enzymes further support liver injury or inflammation that is characteristic of hepatitis. While gallbladder disease and cirrhosis of the liver may also involve elevated liver enzymes and jaundice, they are less likely to explain the acute onset of fatigue and nausea in this scenario. Gallbladder disease might present with pain and other symptoms focused more on the right upper quadrant and may not initially feature the same degree of systemic symptoms. Cirrhosis, being a chronic condition, typically presents with symptoms developed over a longer time rather than suddenly as seen here. Acute appendicitis generally causes localized abdominal pain and would not typically present with jaundice or dark urine. Thus, based on the acute nature of the symptoms and their specific characteristics, acute hepatitis is the most fitting diagnosis.