GI disorders Flashcards
Upper GI bleed is caused by
Drugs, esophageal varies, stomach/duodenal ulcers/cancer, systemic diseases (leukemia)
Upper GI bleed assessment
Determines type of bleeding
- Hematoemesis bright red (no gastric acid) or coffee ground (with gastric acid)
- Melena: black tarry stool
- Bright red blood in stool: Hemorrhoid
- 5-10% w/ severe UGIB: hematochezia
Upper GI bleed diagnostics
Endoscopy is primary Angiography is endoscopy not an option Test stool and vomitus Abnormal lab values: 1. Increased: BUN, Na, 2. Decreased: H/H, UO, K, 3. Increased or decreased: PT
What lab do you want to obtain for a patient with an UGIB in case of a transfusion?
Type and screen
UGIB care
- Bowel sounds and palpate (hard/rigid stomach)
- VS to ensure patient isn’t bleeding too much and going into hypotensive shock
- IV for fluid replacement
- Packed RBC or FFP
- UO
- Surgery depending on time, amount and size
Why do you want to measure OU in a patent that has an UGIB
It is the best way to ensure that vital organs are getting perfused
Functions of the liver
- Carb metabolism
- Protein metabolism
- Fat metabolism
- Steroid metabolism
- Immune system function
- Detoxification of drugs or harmful substances
- Bile synthesis
- Storage of glucose, fats, vitamins and amino acids
Cirrhosis
Chronic and progressive
The start of end stage liver disease when the liver can no longer heal itself and liver cells are being destroyed
Scarring and fibrosis of the liver
Causes of Cirrhosis
- Hep C (most common)
- Alcohol (most common)
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Biliary
- Right sided HF
Patho of Cirrhosis
- Livers tries to regenerate
- abnormal blood vessels/bile duct architecture
- overgrowth and fibrous connective tissue changes liver structure
- Irregular and poor cellular nutrition and hypoxia —> decreased liver function
Early manifestations of liver cirrhosis
Usually GI due to inability to metabolize fats, proteins and carbs
Anorexia/weight loss, dyspepsia, N/V, change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, fever, enlarged liver or spleen, fatigue
Late manifestations of liver cirrhosis
Hepato cellular failure with portal hypertension, jaundice, Spider angioma, edema, ascites, anemia, thrombocytopenia
What do the labs for someone with cirrhosis look like?
Increased AST, ALT, ammonia
Decreases protein, albumin, globulin and cholesterol
Prolonged PT and PTT
What is the gold standard for a definitive diagnosis or cirrhosis?
Liver biopsy
Liver ultrasound can be done by it is not definitive
Cirrhosis complications: portal hypertension and varices
Due to increase pressure in the portal circulation that can lead to a rupture (more like an artery due to such high pressure)
What can portal hypertension lead to ?
Collateral circulation can develop and varices can form in the gastric and esophageal region which is common in pts. with cirrhosis
Care of patients with portal hypertension and varices
- Medications (b blocker, statin or vasopressin)
- Sclerotherapy or band ligation
- Balloon tamponade (compresses varices)
- Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)
- Education: avoid alcohol, aspirin, NSAIDS b/c they can irritate the varices
Ballon tamponade is used to
used to temporarily stabilize if bleed has or is likely to occur
How to care for pt. with balloon tamponade
NPO once balloon is inflated
Cut or deflate balloon if it becomes dislodged or blocks the airway
Band litigation
band around the varices so if it ruptures so it does not cause a problem
Sclerotherapy
injecting varices with glue
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)
reroutes blood flow
Complications: peripheral edema
Due to hypoalbuminemia because the liver metabolizes less proteins
Cirrhosis complications: ascites
Serous fluid up in the peritoneal cavity due to
- increased protein in the lymph
- hypoalbuminemia in vascular space causing third spacing
- hyperaldosteronism causing fluid retention
Care for edema and ascites
- Sodium restriction
- Diuretics
- Paracentesis
- TIPS
- Monitor s/s of infection
- Give albumin
What diuretics can you give a patient with liver cirrhosis?
Spironalactone, lasix, Tolvaptam (increase water excretion to increase serum sodium)
Why do you give albumin to a patient with liver cirrhosis?
to maintain vascular volume and increase colloid osmotic pressure
How do you diagnose peritonitis?
Obtain a sample of peritoneal fluid and culture it
When do you preform a paracentesis?
When the patient is having abdomen pain or difficulty breathing