GI, Biliary, Liver, and Pancreatic Flashcards
As cirrhosis progresses, the liver becomes ____ and ____.
These ____ block____and _____throughout the liver
- Liver becomes fibrotic and Nodular
* Nodules block bile duct and blood flow
Compression caused by excessive______ causes impairments in ____ and _____ flow.
- fibrous tissue
* Blood and Lymph
What does the liver look like in early vs late cirrhosis
- Early- Enlarged, firm and hard
* Late - Shrunken w/decreased function
viral hepatitis, certain drugs and toxins, cause this type of cirrhosis?
*Postnecrotic cirrhosis
Early S/S of cirrhosis?
- Fatigue
- Weight change, anorexia, vomiting
- Abdominal pain/Liver tenderness due to hepatomegaly
Later S/S of Cirrhosis
- Icterus(jaundice) of skin and sclera
- Dry, pruritic skin
- Purpa, Petichiae, ecchymosis, Telangiectases (Spider veins)
- Peripheral edema
- Osteoporosis
- Ascites
- Vitamin deficiency (D,E,K,A)
4 Risk factors for cirrhosis?
- Hep C, leading cause in US
- Hep B+D leading cause world wide
- Alcohol/Binge drinking
- Obstruction of bile duct from gallbladder or autoimmune disease
How many alcoholic drinks per day and for what time period increase the risk of cirrhosis for men and women?
- Women - 2-3 drinks/day over 10 years
* Men - 6 drinks per day over 10 years
A complication of cirrhosis where pressure in portal vein is 5 mmhg or higher? Patho of this complication?
*Hepatic Cell damage causes Fibrosis, leading to narrowing of the portal veins leading to PORTAL HYPERTENSION (5mmhg or more of pressure in portal vein.
A complication of cirrhosis where excess fluid fills the peritoneal area? Describe patho of this complication. How does albumin play a part in this?
- Portal hypertension leads to fluid being pushed from blood vessels and into tissue/large open spaces like the peritoneal area. This is known as ASCITES.
- Albumin is synthesized in the liver and this decreases in later stages of cirrhosis. Low albumin allows fluids to be leaked into tissues and 3rd spacing like acites
A complication of cirrhosis where kidney failure follows the failure of the liver. Patho of this complication?
- HEPATORENAL SYNDROME, where portal hypertension leads to system vasodilation.
- Activation of Vasoconstrictive agents and vasoconstriction of vessels leads to decreased blood flow to kidneys.
- Lack of blood flow leads to increase of prostaglandins and decrease of GFR, causing kidneys to fail.
A complication of cirrhosis where neurological dysfunction occurs due to the build up of toxins in the brain? Describe patho of this complication.
- HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY
- Blood flow is shunted away from liver due to portal hypertension and narrowing of portal veins.
- Reduced blood flow leads to decreased liver function
- Decreased liver function, leads to less detoxification of blood, and build up of toxins such as ammonia.
- Toxins travel to brain leading to mental deficits and confusion, and eventually coma.
Condition where arm is stretched and wrist is dorsiflexed, causes involuntary jerking movements of the hand? What is this a sign of?
- Asterixis
* Sign of Hepatic Encephalopathy
A complication of cirrhosis where yellowing of skin and whites of eyes occurs? Patho of this complication?
- JAUNDICE
- a less functioning liver is unable to excrete bilirubin into bile, therefore it remains in the blood stream, causing Jaundice.
Why are coagulation defects seen in cirrhosis of the liver?
The liver produces coagulation factors, and is unable to do this when the liver loses functionality.
A complication of cirrhosis where veins in the esophagus are abnormally enlarged and ballooned. Patho of this complication? What are some risks of this?
- ESOPHAGEAL VARICES
- An increase of blood flow to the veins of the esophagus due to a cut back on blood that can flow through liver due to scarring causes these veins to enlarge and balloon.
- Coughing, chest trauma, physical exercise, could cause spontaneous bleeding and airway obstruction.
Assessment for ascites? How, Where, and when is this done?
- Measure abdominal Girth
- Measured daily
- Measure at umbilicus while pt is supine and at end of exhalation.
In Patients with cirrhosis Liver may be _____ and extend ______. It will be ____ and feel _____.
- enlarged
- extends below costal margin
- Papable
- Firm and nodular
In liver disease what labs are increased?
- Bilirubin (0.3-1.2)
- Liver enzymes-ALT(8-40), AST(10-40), LDH(100-200), AP (30-120)
- Ammonia (15-45)
- Pt/INR, PTT(12-16 seconds)
In liver disease what labs are decreased?
- Serum albumin/proteins
* Platelets if splenomegaly (thrombocytopenia)
List 5 ways to manage third spacing and fluid retention in cirrhosis patients.
- 1-2 Gram sodium diet
- Diuretics
- Multivitamins (due to livers inability to store them)
- Paracentesis to drain ascites
- TIPS procedure.
What is TIPS procedure? Why is this done? Who is eligible for this?
- Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt
- Stent is placed using guidewire, diverting blood flow from portal vein into hepatic vein.
- Reduces pressure gradient between portal and systemic circulations, which reduces bleeding and fluid back up.
- Done for end stage liver disease
What is a paracentesis? How is this done?
- Needle or cath is placed into peritoneal area to obtain ascites sample or drain fluid.
- Done in IR w/ local anesthesia and U/S
What are two crucial things for the nurse to remember to do for paracentesis
- Weight client before/after procedure and document
* Have client empty bladder before procedure to avoid injury
Therapy used for Tamponade if endoscopy or TIPS are not possible? How does this work? Why is this dangerous?
- Minnesota or Sengstaken-Blakemore tube with esophageal stents
- tube placed in nose to stomach, attached baloons inflated to apply pressure to bleeding varices
- If tube slips, can cause esophageal perforation or asphyxia
What diet should a client be eating to reduce the risk of hepatic encephalopathy? Why? What else may be ordered?
- MODERATE protein
- Ammonia is by product of protein breakdown, want to limit this to avoid toxicity
- Branch-chained amino acids
Laxative that promotes excretion of ammonia in the stool? How is this administered? How many stools per day is the goal? What should be monitored for?
- LACTULOSE - PO/ENEMA
- 2-3 stools per day is goal
- Monitor for hypokalemia and dehydration
What is the difference between Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NAFL VS NASH). What is NAFLD associated with and a risk for?
- NAFL - fatty liver w/o inflammation vs NASH - fatty liver w/inflammation similar to ETOH liver. (remeber FL for flat liver/ no inflammation.)
- Associated w/ obesity and metabolic syndrome
- Create risk for CVD, DIABETES, HTN, GALLBLADDER DISEASE.
What is hepatitis and what is the most common type? What occurs after?
- Inflammation of hepatic cells
- Viral is the most common
- Enlarged liver and Portal Hypertension
HEPATITIS A Primary transmission? Incubation period? S/S? Survival/death of virus?
- Oral/Fecal-Contaminated foods
- 15-30 days
- Mild flu/GI illness for most - Can be severe for people over 40 or w/ preexisting liver disease
- survives on hands/resistant to detergents, dies w/bleach and very high temps.
- THIS IS MOSTLY ACUTE
HEPATITIS B Primary transmission? Incubation period? S/S? Survival/death of virus?
- Bloodborne- Needles, unprotected sex
- 25-180 days
- RUQ pain, jaundice, fever, anorexia, dark urine/w/light stool, asymptomatic for many people
- Most clear virus and develop immunity, some become carriers, asymptomatic but at risk for liver issues.
- ACUTE AND CHRONIC
HEPATITIS C Primary transmission? Incubation period? S/S? Survival/death of virus?
- Bloodborne - IV drug use
- 7 weeks
- Most people asymptomatic and unaware
- Not transmitted through casual or intimate contact, however, do not share personal household items., No vaccine.
- ACUTE AND CHRONIC
HEPATITIS D
Primary transmission?
Incubation period?
- Bloodborne - IV drug use and also sexual contact
- 14-56 days - usually seen with HEP B infection as well.
- ACUTE AND CHRONIC
HEPATITIS E
Primary transmission?
Incubation period?
Survival/death of virus?
- Oral/Fecal transmission - mostly found internationally
- 15-64 days
- Self limiting/ACUTE infections
Complication of hepatitis where there is progression of liver necrosis with failure of the liver cells to regenerate?
- Fulminent Hepatitis
* can be fatal
Chronic hepatitis is a complication of hepatitis that occurs as a result of? What can this lead to? Why is this so concerning?
- HBV and HCV
- Leads to cirrhosis and liver cancer
- No HCV vaccine, and is transmissible
What should be avoided in hepatitis patients?
- Alcohol
- Acetamenophin
- Sexual intercourse until antigen tests are negative
How long is antiviral treatment required for HCV?
24-48 weeks
General treatment of hepatitis?
*Lots of rest, High carb/moderate fat and protein diet, small frequent meals
What level of precautions should be used with patients with hepatitis in the hospital?
Contact precautions for A+E with active diarrhea, otherwise standard.
Vaccine schedule for HEP A?
*2 doses, 6 months apart, starting at 1 year old.