Abdominal 2 Flashcards
What test would you use to diagnose an aortic dissection? How would you treat it?
A transesophageal echocardiogram. Surgery.
How do you treat Hepatitis A?
Self-limiting, just wait it out. Vaccine available.
What are some risk factors for Hep A?
Adventurous eating
What type of Hep can you have if you are a carrier and never show symptoms?
Hep B or C
Which types of Hep have a vaccine?
Hep A and B
Which types of Hep have a treatment?
Hep C has a curative treatment, Hep A is self-limiting, and Hep B has antivirals that are not curative.
What liver enzymes increase in all Hep forms?
ALT
What types of complications can come from Hepatitis?
Portal hypertension
Esophageal varices
Hepatic encephalopathy
How common is hepatic encephalopathy? What is the major symptom?
20-60% of people with liver disease get this. It usually manifests as confusion, and is caused by ammonia in the brain produced from gut bacteria that is not being properly filtered.
What medications make hepatic encephalopathy worse?
Diuretics
Constipation-inducing agents
Sedative
Sodium valproate
How do you treat hepatic encephalopathy?
Lactulose to decrease pH and increase diffusion out, or Rifaximin prophylactically to decrease the synthesis of nitrogen produced by bacteria.
Most important counseling point about hepatic encephalopathy?
Take it always, or you will become confused and never take it. Also, for mild don’t get constipated and always go see your doc for fevers. If overt may need transplant or may not improved.
How do you treat the portal hypertension created by liver disease?
Beta blockers. Secondary is endoscopic procedure in addition to beta blockers.
What are spider angiomas a sign of?
Increased portal hypertension
