What medical term describes the inflammation of the liver?

The term "hepatitis" specifically refers to the inflammation of the liver and is derived from the Greek word "hepar," which means liver, combined with "itis," which denotes inflammation. This condition can be caused by various factors, including viral infections, alcohol consumption, certain medications, and autoimmune diseases. Understanding this term is essential for CNAs as they may encounter patients with liver-related issues and should be familiar with the terminology to communicate effectively with healthcare teams.

Cirrhosis refers to the scarring of the liver tissue, often resulting from prolonged liver damage, rather than inflammation itself. Cholecystitis is the inflammation of the gallbladder, and hepatic encephalopathy is a decline in brain function as a result of severe liver disease. These terms, while related to liver conditions, do not accurately describe the specific process of liver inflammation, making hepatitis the correct choice for this question.