Increased bilirubin causes which sign?

Increased bilirubin causes which sign?

• A. Bruising
• B. Edema
• C. Jaundice
• D. Hypotension

Answer: (C)

Elevated bilirubin shows up as jaundice—the yellow discoloration of the sclera (and then the skin) due to pigment deposition in tissues. Bilirubin is a breakdown product of heme; when it accumulates because of increased production, impaired conjugation, or impaired excretion, it deposits in tissues and turns them yellow. The other signs listed don’t result directly from high bilirubin: bruising relates to coagulation issues, edema to fluid status, and hypotension to blood pressure problems. So jaundice is the sign you’d expect with increased bilirubin.

Elevated bilirubin shows up as jaundice—the yellow discoloration of the sclera (and then the skin) due to pigment deposition in tissues. Bilirubin is a breakdown product of heme; when it accumulates because of increased production, impaired conjugation, or impaired excretion, it deposits in tissues and turns them yellow. The other signs listed don’t result directly from high bilirubin: bruising relates to coagulation issues, edema to fluid status, and hypotension to blood pressure problems. So jaundice is the sign you’d expect with increased bilirubin.