During the Preicteric phase, which laboratory change is typically observed?

During the Preicteric phase, which laboratory change is typically observed?

• A. Bilirubin decreases
• B. Bilirubin increases
• C. ALP decreases
• D. WBC decreases

Answer: (B)

In the preicteric (prodromal) phase of hepatitis, liver inflammation is already underway, but jaundice hasn’t appeared yet. The liver’s ability to process bilirubin becomes impaired, so bilirubin begins to rise in the blood even before yellowing of the skin or eyes occurs. This makes an increase in bilirubin the most consistent early lab finding. ALP would more typically rise with cholestasis or biliary obstruction rather than decrease in this early stage, and white blood cell count isn’t a defining change of the preicteric phase.

In the preicteric (prodromal) phase of hepatitis, liver inflammation is already underway, but jaundice hasn’t appeared yet. The liver’s ability to process bilirubin becomes impaired, so bilirubin begins to rise in the blood even before yellowing of the skin or eyes occurs. This makes an increase in bilirubin the most consistent early lab finding. ALP would more typically rise with cholestasis or biliary obstruction rather than decrease in this early stage, and white blood cell count isn’t a defining change of the preicteric phase.