A 44-year-old woman with a history of alcohol excess presents with confusion, asterixis and jaundice. She has known cirrhosis. There is no evidence of...

Question

A 44-year-old woman with a history of alcohol excess presents with confusion, asterixis and jaundice. She has known cirrhosis. There is no evidence of active gastrointestinal bleeding. What is the most appropriate first-line treatment for her encephalopathy?

Accepted Answer

Oral lactulose to achieve 2–3 soft stools per day

Answer

Oral rifaximin alone

Answer

High-dose intravenous benzodiazepines

Answer

No specific treatment is required

Answer

Immediate liver transplantation referral only

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Hepatic encephalopathy

A 44-year-old woman with a history of alcohol excess presents with confusion, asterixis and jaundice. She has known cirrhosis. There is no evidence of active gastrointestinal bleeding. What is the most appropriate first-line treatment for her encephalopathy?