Hepatic Flashcards
hepatitis A transmission
fecal-oral
hep a s/s
GI, not severe
hepatitis tx
promote rest, healthy diet - high carb, high calorie, moderate protein; avoid all meds, alc, sex (if B, C, D) chronic - antivirals
hepatitis labs
elevated ALT, AST, ALP, & bilirubin
hep B transmission
blood to blood
hep C transmission
blood to blood
hep C s/s
mostly asymptomatic until it gets severe, slow progression over decades
hep D transmission
blood to blood - coinfection with hep B
hep E transmission
fecal-oral, usually waterborne from foreign travel
hep E tx
supportive care, usually resolves on its own
complications of hepatitis
chronic hep, fulminating hep, cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure
fulminating hepatitis
severe & potentially fatal viral help - causes fast onset liver failure
what is cirrhosis
permanent scarring of the liver caused by alc, drugs, hep, etc.
liver failure
death without transplant
hepatitis B & D s/s
RUQ pain, jaundice, joint & muscle pain, fever, fatigue, malaise, n/v, dark urine with light stool, pruritis, diarrhea/constipation
how is the liver biopsied? why
usually trans-jugular to reduce risk of bleeding/hemothorax
priority problems w hep
weight loss , fatigue, potential for infection, further liver damage, spread to others
weight loss interventions
high calorie high carb moderate protein diet
fatigue interventions
promote rest - helps it heal
how do we prevent liver from further damage/complications in hep pts
educate to avoid foods high in protein, all meds (esp OTC) unless prescribed
how to limit hep spread to others
no sex in B, C, & D
s/s of alcohol toxicity
CNS depression, behavioral changes, hypoglycemia, hypotension, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, possible resp/circulatory failure
tx for alc toxicity
maintain ABCs, IV fluids w glucose, Mg, K & multivitamins, IV thiamine - prevents Wernicke-Korsakoff
wernicke’s encephalopathy s/s
confusion, ataxia, ocular changes