A 68-year-old man with known chronic liver disease presents with increasing abdominal distension and bilateral ankle oedema. Examination reveals shift...

Question

A 68-year-old man with known chronic liver disease presents with increasing abdominal distension and bilateral ankle oedema. Examination reveals shifting dullness and jaundice. His serum albumin is 22 g/L. What is the most appropriate first-line treatment for his ascites?

Accepted Answer

Spironolactone as initial diuretic therapy, titrated up as needed.

Answer

Intravenous albumin infusion only.

Answer

High-dose loop diuretic monotherapy.

Answer

Immediate transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).

Answer

Empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics.

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Cirrhotic ascites

A 68-year-old man with known chronic liver disease presents with increasing abdominal distension and bilateral ankle oedema. Examination reveals shifting dullness and jaundice. His serum albumin is 22 g/L. What is the most appropriate first-line treatment for his ascites?