What is not an expected outcome of cirrhosis?

In cirrhosis, the liver is significantly damaged and its functional capacity is compromised. Normally, the liver plays a vital role in metabolizing proteins and converting ammonia to urea, which is then excreted in urine. As cirrhosis progresses, this function diminishes due to the loss of functional liver tissue.

Urea concentrations in the blood typically decrease in cases of cirrhosis due to the liver's impaired ability to process ammonia into urea. Therefore, an increase in urea concentrations is not an expected outcome; rather, lower urea levels would be anticipated as liver function declines.

On the other hand, the other options—an increased risk of liver cancer, portal hypertension, and liver failure—are indeed expected outcomes of cirrhosis. As the liver undergoes scarring (fibrosis) and its architecture is disrupted, these conditions developed as a result of chronic liver damage and can lead to severe complications.