Acute Liver Failure: The Daily PANCE Blueprint
Which of the following is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States?
A. Acetaminophen toxicity
B. Alcoholic hepatitis
C. Autoimmune hepatitis
D. Hepatitis B virus infection
E. Idiosyncratic drug reactions
Answer and topic summary
The answer is A. Acetaminophen toxicity
Acetaminophen toxicity is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States, accounting for approximately 50% of cases. Acetaminophen, when taken in excessive doses, can cause direct hepatocellular injury and necrosis, leading to acute liver failure. The risk of toxicity is increased in patients with chronic alcohol use, malnutrition, or preexisting liver disease, as these conditions can deplete glutathione stores and impair the liver’s ability to detoxify acetaminophen metabolites. Other common causes of acute liver failure include idiosyncratic drug reactions, viral hepatitis (particularly hepatitis B), and autoimmune hepatitis, but these are less prevalent than acetaminophen toxicity in the United States. Alcoholic hepatitis is a common cause of chronic liver disease but is a less frequent etiology of acute liver failure.
View blueprint lesson
Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:
Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint GI and Nutrition ⇒ ⇒
