5.1 Care for Hepatobiliary System and Colorectal Cancer Flashcards
Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disorders
Hepatobiliary Disorders related to
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Bile Ducts
- Bile
Pancreas
- Included as pancreas ducts join the common bile duct in conjunction with hepatobiliary system
Liver Function
- Glucose Metabolism
- Ammonia Conversion
- Protein Metabolism
- Fat Metabolism
- Vitamin and Iron Storage
- Bile Formation
- Bilirubin Excretion
- Drug metabolism
Bilirubin
- Formed from senescent (old) RBC’s
- Bilirubin is what gives bile and feces its color
- Small amount is found in the blood
Unconjugated (Free) Bilirubin
- Heme released from hemoglobin during RBC breakdown, biliverdin converts to bilirubin and released into plasma where it binds with albumin.
- The remainder becomes unconjugated hemoglobin
- Bilirubin travels from blood stream to liver
- Molecule is not water soluble
Conjugated Bilirubin
- When unconjugated bilirubin combines with glucuronic acid, it becomes water soluble and less toxic.
- Bilirubin is converted from unconjugated to conjugated bilirubin in the liver
- This happens by sugar attaching to the unconjugated bilirubin turning it into bile and entering the small intestines
- Bilirubin is eventually eliminated in stool
Bilirubin Labs
- Normal to have bilirubin in the blood
Direct (Conjugated) - Less than 0.3 mg/dL
Total Bilirubin - 0.1 - 1.2 mg/dL
Indirect is Total Bilirubin minus Direct Bilirubin
Liver Dysfunction
- Leads to jaundice caused by increased serum bilirubin levels (>2 mg/dL)
- Leads to portal hypertension
- Ascites
- Varices (enlarged vein)
- Hepatic Encephalopathy (altered LOC due to Liver Failure)
- Coma
- Nutritional deficiencies
Hepatitis
- Inflammation of the liver
Viral Hepatitis
- Systemic viral infection causing inflammation and necrosis of liver cells
- Can cause fibrosis of liver and progress to cirrhosis
Non-Viral Hepatitis
- Caused by toxins or drug induced
Hepatitis A,B,C,D,E
A/E - Transmitted through food or water contaminated by feces
B/C - Transmitted through puncture wounds or contact with bodily fluids (blood, saliva, semen). Also injection drug use or sex
D - Transmitted through puncture wound or infected blood
Liver Function Tests
- Serum Aminotransferase - Detects hepatitis. Indicates injury to liver cells
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) - Levels increase in liver disorders. Used to monitor hepatitis, cirrhosis and toxic medication treatment
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) - Not specific to liver disease but levels may be increased in cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver cancer
Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) - Associated with cholestasis (bile flow stopped) and alcoholic liver disease
Nursing Assessment of Hepatitis
Physical assessment for
- Low-grade fever
- Jaundice
- Rash
- Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
- Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen)
- Abnormal lab values
Diagnostic For Hepatitis
- Testing patient blood for specific antigen/antibodies
- DNA quantification
- Liver function tests
Nursing Care for Hepatitis
- Assess for Jaundice
- Comfort measures
Education - Nutrition (small frequent meals)
- Adequate fluid intake (avoid carbonated beverages except sparkling water)
Hepatitis A (HAV)
- RNA virus
- Transferred through contaminated food/water, sex, food handlers with HAV. (Poor hand hygiene)
- Takes 2-6 weeks to notice (intubation)
- Lasts 4-8 weeks
- Mild flu like symptoms, low grade fever, anorexia, jaundice, dark urine, indigestion, epigastric distress, enlargement of liver and spleen.
MANAGEMENT
- PREVENTION
- Hand hygiene, vaccine, safe food/water
- Bed rest during acute stage and adequate nutrition
Hepatitis B (HBV)
- DNA Virus
- Transferred through mucosal exposure to infectious blood and bodily fluids
- Can also be transferred Perinatal (during birth) and Percutaneous (puncture wound)
- Intubation 60-150 days (average 90)
- Fever, Malaise (discomfort), generalized aching, anorexia, diarrhea, clay-colored stool, jaundice, abdominal pain.
HBV Management
- Alpha Interferons (SubQ)
- Antivirals - Entecavir (ETV) Tenofovir (TDF)
- Vaccine for high risk and routine vaccine for infants
- Passive immunization for those exposed
- Infection control measures
- MAJOR WORLDWIDE CAUSE OF CIRRHOSIS AND LIVER CANCER
Hepatitis C (HCV)
- RNA Virus
- Transmitted same as B
- MOST COMMON BLOODBORNE INFECTION
- MOST COMMON REASON FOR LIVER TRANPLANT AND VERY COMMON CAUSE OF LIVER CANCER
- CHRONIC CARRIER STATE FREQUENTLY OCCURS
HCV
- Intubation takes 15-160 days
Manifestations - Mild, similar to other forms of hepatitis
- Over decades it can cause cirrhosis and is the leading cause of liver transplants.
HCV MANAGEMENT
- Antiviral medication 8-24 weeks
- Avoid alcohol (potentiates disease)
- Medications affecting liver should be avoided
- PREVENTION IS KEY (education on needle sharing reduction)
Hepatitis D (HDV)
- Caused by defective RNA virus that requires HBV to replicate
TRANSMISSION - Only those who have hepatitis B are at risk.
- Blood/sexual contact, IV or injections, hemodialysis, multiple blood transfusions.
Incubation - Between 30-150 days
MANIFESTATIONS - Likely to develop liver failure or chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis. Similar to other forms of hepatitis
MANAGEMENT - Interferon Alfa is the only drug to treat HDV
Hepatitis E
- RNA Virus (Occurs primarily in developing countries)
- Transmitted via fecal-oral route
- Waterborne infection (heavy rain, fecal contaminated food and water)
- Incubation 15-65 days
MANIFESTATIONS - Same as Hepatitis A, abrupt onset, not chronic
MANAGEMENT - Prevention
- Good hygiene
- Avoid sources of contaminated water
Cirrhosis
- Chronic Progressive Disease
- Overgrowth of fibrous connective tissue in liver (scaring)
- Obstructs blood flow
- Can lead to decreased function of liver
- Twice as common in men than women