Hyperammonemia can have …show more content…
T.C. arrived in the emergency department with altered mental status. His medical history included extreme liver failure and he was on the waiting list for a liver transplant. He also had a history of social smoking and drinking which are huge risk factor for liver damage. Upon assessing, his serum ammonia level is 78 mg/dl, where the normal range is 15-45 mg/dl, a finding that is consistent with his diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy. Laboratory results usually also show signs of hepatic dysfunction and electrolyte imbalances such as hyponatremia and hypokalemia. Mr. T.C. was treated with Xifacan, antibiotics to decrease the production of ammonia. Lactulose to aide in excreting the ammonia through stool production, as well as normal saline for fluid loss resulting in