What blood tests are appropriate for a patient with a suspected acute liver injury? Explain the rationale for ordering these tests, and patterns of results that you might see in a patient with acute HAV infection.

DISCUSSION ESSAY

The liver is a complex organ with many contributions to homeostasis that are often not appreciated until liver function declines. The liver has the capacity to rebound and regenerate after a variety of acute chemically or virally induced insults, but it is vulnerable to chronic chemical or infectious damage.

• What blood tests are appropriate for a patient with a suspected acute liver injury?
• Explain the rationale for ordering these tests, and patterns of results that you might see in a patient with acute HAV infection.