Liver tissue is replaced with fibrotic tissue that alters the normal function of liver is called as?

NVS Staff Nurse - 2022

Pathology & Genetics

Easy

Appeared in: NVS Staff Nurse - 2022

Explanation

Cirrhosis is the correct medical term for the end-stage of chronic liver disease, where functional liver tissue is extensively replaced by non-functional fibrotic (scar) tissue.
This pathological process involves the development of fibrosis to the point of architectural distortion and the formation of regenerative nodules.
The result is a decrease in hepatocellular mass and a significant impairment of all liver functions, including metabolic, synthetic, and detoxification processes.

Option A: Sinusoids are a part of the normal microanatomy of the liver. They are specialized capillaries that allow blood to come into close contact with hepatocytes, which is essential for liver function, not a disease state.
Option C: Fibrosis is the process of scar formation. While it is the underlying mechanism of cirrhosis, cirrhosis is the name of the advanced disease state where fibrosis has become widespread and has destroyed the liver's normal structure.
Option D: Carcinoma refers to cancer, which involves the uncontrolled, malignant growth of cells. While cirrhosis is a major risk factor for developing hepatocellular carcinoma, it is a distinct pathology from the fibrotic replacement described in the question.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pathophysiology of Chronic Liver Disease as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a vital role in monitoring patients with cirrhosis for life-threatening complications such as ascites, esophageal variceal bleeding, and hepatic encephalopathy.
Patient education on lifestyle modifications, particularly alcohol cessation and a low-sodium diet, is a critical nursing intervention to slow disease progression and manage symptoms.
What if? If the patient presented with acute jaundice, coagulopathy, and confusion that developed over 2 weeks without a prior history of liver disease, the diagnosis would more likely be Acute Liver Failure, a medical emergency, rather than chronic cirrhosis.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question stem to identify the key pathological process: 'liver tissue is replaced with fibrotic tissue' and the consequence 'alters the normal function'.
Evaluate the options. 'Sinusoids' is an anatomical part, and 'Carcinoma' is cancer; both can be eliminated as they don't match the description of tissue replacement by fibrosis.
Differentiate between 'Fibrosis' and 'Cirrhosis'. Recognize that fibrosis is the process of scarring, while cirrhosis is the disease state or condition where this process has become extensive and structurally disruptive.
The question asks what the condition 'is called as,' pointing to the name of the overall disease, making Cirrhosis the most accurate and comprehensive answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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