Select the bilirubin level that would be considered normal in the context of hepatitis.

• A. 6 mg/dL
• B. 1 mg/dL
• C. 3 mg/dL
• D. 0.5 mg/dL

Answer: (B)

Bilirubin levels help gauge liver function in hepatitis, since inflammation can impair the liver’s ability to conjugate and excrete bilirubin. Normal total bilirubin is generally about 0.1 to 1.0–1.2 mg/dL. In hepatitis, bilirubin tends to rise, so a value at the upper end of the normal range is still considered normal in this context, while much higher numbers indicate hyperbilirubinemia. A value around 1 mg/dL sits at the typical upper limit of normal and would be regarded as normal here, whereas 3 or 6 mg/dL would indicate significant elevation. A value like 0.5 mg/dL is also normal, but 1 mg/dL is the commonly cited upper normal limit used to distinguish normal from elevated in hepatitis.