Chapter 14 Flashcards
liver functions
- metabolism (CHO, protein, fat)
- synthesis of bile
- detox
- storage (vitamin B12/fat soluble vitamins)
- synthesis plasma proteins and clotting factors
livers function in clearing waste products
- drug and hormone metabolism (detox/inactivation)
- cytochrome p450 enzymes
- synthesis of urea (takes away nitrogen)
- removal of bilirubin
- alcohol metabolism
what organ is the only organ that can remove heme waste products?
liver
bilirubin metabolism
- liver conjugates bilirubin (makes more soluble)
- secreted in bile
- also eliminated in urine
jaundice
accumulation of bilirubin in blood, often symptomatic of liver/gallbladder problem
biliary colic (signs and symptoms)
severe right upper quadrant and side pain caused by obstruction of biliary ductal system by stones
what is another sign/symptom of liver problems?
unintentional weight loss (could indicate pancreatic problem also)
steatorrhea (signs and symptoms)
passage of smelly, greasy stools that float in water, indicative of malabsorption of fats
hepatomegaly (signs and symptoms)
increase in size of liver, prominent in alcoholic fatty liver and metastatic disease
liver enzyme test
look for aspartate amiotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (AP) in blood, not normally there if liver is functioning normally
liver albumin test
check to see how much albumin is in the blood, too little could indicate a problem
hepatitis
inflammation of the liver due to virus
viral hepatitis is distinguished by..
- mode of transmission
- carrier state
- chronic
- vaccine
hepatitis A is also known as..
HAV
how is hepatitis A transmitted?
primarily fecal-oral, mucosal secretions
abrupt symptoms of hepatitis A
- fever, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
- enlarged, tender liver and dark urine
- serum AST strikingly elevated
where is hepatitis A more common?
developing nations, ~10,000 new cases/year in U.S.
treatment for hepatitis A
nothing specific, rest
do a lot of people die from hepatitis A?
no, rare
is there a vaccine for hepatitis A?
yes
hepatitis B is also known as..
HBV
hepatitis B can..
cause acute illness that manifests with fever, malaise, and jaundice
can an individual infected with hepatitis B become an asymptomatic carrier?
yes, can also develop chronic hepatitis and eventually cirrhosis
how is hepatitis B transmitted?
contact with infected blood, body fluids, shared needles, fetus in utero or during vaginal delivery
can hepatitis A become chronic?
no
is there a vaccine available for hepatitis B?
yes
is hepatitis B acute or chronic?
both
how is hepatitis C spread?
primarily by blood to blood contact
____ of hepatitis C cases result in chronic hepatitis
80%
risk factors for hepatitis C
- contact with blood at work
- unprotected sex (less common than B)
- blood transfusion