What is the definition or description of: hepatic encephalopathy?

Altered mental statu: Disturbance of consciousness from confusion to coma as a result of liver failure usually due to high levels of serum ammonia.

Altered mental state: Encephalopathy is a generalized description of an altered mental state that is caused by a medical condition. This is seen as confusion, agitation, lethargy, and/or severe somnolence. It is commonly seen in patients with cirrhosis (hepatic encephalopathy) and in otherwise well controlled cirrhosis it is may be a sign of infection or gastrointestinal bleeding.