A 62-year-old with hepatitis C cirrhosis develops progressiv…
A 62-year-old with hepatitis C cirrhosis develops progressive sleep–wake reversal and difficulty concentrating after missing several doses of lactulose. Exam: disoriented to date, mild icterus, flapping tremor. Vitals: BP 114/70, HR 90, RR 18, SpO₂ 98% RA. Morning labs: serum ammonia 98 µmol/L (elevated), total bilirubin 3.9 mg/dL, albumin 2.8 g/dL, sodium 131 mEq/L, glucose 118 mg/dL. Which abnormality most directly accounts for the current neurologic findings?