Histology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 34-year-old woman with a 10-year history of hepatitis C presents with jaundice, ascites, and spider angiomas. Vital signs show BP 110/68 mmHg, HR 92/min, RR 16/min, temp 37.2°C, SpO2 98% on room air. Lab work reveals elevated transaminases and INR 1.8. Abdominal ultrasound demonstrates cirrhotic changes without hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver biopsy shows extensive hepatic parenchymal replacement by fibrous connective tissue with regenerative nodule formation. Which histologic finding is most characteristic of this process?
Answer choices
- AIsolated hepatocyte necrosis without architectural distortion
- BBallooning degeneration of periportal hepatocytes
- CLoss of normal hepatic architecture with fibrous septa bridging portal tractsCorrect answer
- DAccumulation of lipid droplets in zone 1 hepatocytes
- EInfiltration of neutrophils within hepatic sinusoids
- FPiecemeal necrosis at the interface between portal tracts and lobular parenchyma
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