Prehepatic conditions include which of the following?

• A. Hemolytic disease
• B. Hepatitis
• C. Cirrhosis
• D. Biliary obstruction

Answer: (A)

Prehepatic processes involve an excess of bilirubin production before the liver can conjugate it, so unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin rises. Hemolytic disease is a classic example because rapid red cell destruction dumps more bilirubin into the liver for processing than it can conjugate, leading to prehepatic jaundice.

Hepatitis and cirrhosis reflect hepatic problems—injury or scarring in the liver that impairs uptake and conjugation of bilirubin, often causing mixed or predominantly conjugated and unconjugated elevations. Biliary obstruction is posthepatic, where blocked bile flow leads to a rise in conjugated bilirubin.