Question

A professor has taught the students about the sources of increased ammonia in patients with hepatic encephalopathy. What statement by a student indicates the professor should review this material?

		End products of intestinal protein digestion are sources of increased ammonia.
		Digested blood leaking from ruptured varices is a source of increased ammonia.
		Accumulation of short-chain fatty acids are a source of increased ammonia.
		Ammonia-forming bacteria in the colon are sources of increased ammonia.

Answer 1

A professor has taught the students about the sources of increased ammonia in patients with hepatic encephalopathy. The statement, "Accumulation of short-chain fatty acids are a source of increased ammonia" by the student indicates the professor should review this material.

Answer - Accumulation of short-chain fatty acids are a source of increased ammonia.

1. End product of protein digestion releases a large amount of Ammonia, in severe liver disease muscle wasting also increases the level of Ammonia.

2. Ammonia also increases due to GI bleeding.

3. Some amount of Ammonia also formed in colon due to endoginous metabolism of bacteria.

But accumulation of short chain fatty acids does not produces Ammonia.