5. Liver Flashcards
what is the guidance on alcohol intake
no more than 14 units a week
Alcohol use disorders identification test for consumption (AUDIT C)
This is a test to quickly identify alcohol harm in service users. You can use the AUDIT C tool to quickly assess your user’s level of risk to alcohol harm by completing 3 consumption questions.
The AUDIT-C is scored on a scale of 0-12 (scores of 0 reflect no alcohol use). In men, a score of 4 or more is considered positive; in women, a score of 3 or more is considered positive. Generally, the higher the AUDIT-C score, the more likely it is that the patient’s drinking is affecting his/her health and safety.
Fast alcohol use screening test (FAST)
This is a quick test for health and social care professionals to assess service users at risk of alcohol harm.
FAST was designed for use in emergency departments but it can be used in a wide variety of settings.
consists of only 4 questions from the Alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT), which are asked in 2 stages
risks of detox
Physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal:
hand tremors (‘the shakes’)
sweating
nausea
visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not actually real)
seizures (fits) in the most serious cases
Psychological symptoms of alcohol withdrawal: depression anxiety irritability restlessness insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
tests for different types of liver disease
Alcoholic-related liver disease = personal history and liver function blood test
Autoimmune hepatitis = test for autoantibodies (anti-nuclear and SMA)
Haemochromatosis = Testing for HFE Gene analysis for C282Y or H63D mutation by taking a blood sample.
Fatty liver disease, NAFLD, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis = history and liver function blood test, BMI/ ultrasound, liver biopsy
What is the effect of blocking the action of vitamin K
Blocking the action of vitamin K leads to an inability to form blood clots efficiently
