Hepatitis Flashcards
Hepatitis and type
Inflammation of the liver
Non viral hepatitis
Acute hepatitis
Non-viral hepatitis
Caused by drugs, alcohol, chemicals, or autoimmune liver disease
Acute viral hepatitis
A systematic viral infection that causes necrosis and inflammation of liver cells with characteristic symptoms and cellular and biochemical changes
Types A,B,C,D,E,G
All types but each vary in incubation period, mode of transmission and prognosis
Hep a transmission and prevention
Faecal-oral route
Prevention: vaccination, standard precautions, hand washing, food hygiene, safe water, sanitation
Hep B
Per cutaneous and permucosal exposure to blood or blood products, sexual contact, illicit drug use, perinatal transmission (to infant)
Prevention: vaccination, standard precautions, screening for blood and blood products needle less systems/ safety needles
Hepatitis c
Per cutaneous / permucosal exposure to blood or blood products, sexual contact, illicit iv drug use
Prevent: standard precautions, screening of blood and blood products
Hep e
Faecal oral - route
Hep d
Same with hep b (hbv)
Hepatitis signs
Clinical manifestation
No symptoms during incubation period
During acute phase symptoms may include : anorexia, nausea, fatigue, occasional vomiting, jaundice, dark urine, light stools, abdominal discomfort
Possible complications for
Hep b
C
D
B- chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer
C- chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer
D- chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, fulminant hep(acute liver failure
Ascites
Accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal or abdominal cavity
Ascites signs
Abdominal distension, weight gain, dehydration, weight gain, dehydration, decrease in urinary output
Ascites assessment
Abdominal girth/ weight daily, monitor potential fluid and electrolyte imbalance
Ascite treatment
Sodium restriction, diuretics
Portal hypertension
Obstruction blood flow through the liver results in increased pressure throughout the portal venous system
Can lead to portal (hypertension )
Ascites
Oesophageal varices
Oesophageal and gastric varices
Oesophageal- distended veins in submucosa of the oesophagus
Gastric varices - distended veins in upper portion of the stomach
Enlarged and swollen due to portal hypertension
Rupture of blood vessels can slow or sudden bleeding
Excessive blood loss is life threatening
Serious complication of cirrhosis
Signs of oesophageal and gastric varices
Haematemesis, melaena, general deterioration, shock
Oesophageal and gastric varices
Detection
Patient with cirrhosis should undergo screening endoscopy every 2 years
Hepatic encephalopathy and coma
Neurophyschiatric signs: terminal complications
Failure of liver to metabolise and detoxify nitrogenous substances
Results in accumulation of ammonia and other toxic metabolites in the blood
Hepatoc coma
Most advanced stage of hepatic encephalopathy
Signs: mental changes, motor disturbances, asterixis, constructional apraxia
Hepatic encephalopathy and coma management
Focus on the reduction of ammonia formation consist mainly of protein restriction and reduction of ammonia formation in the intestine- lactulose and neomycin
Cirrhosis of the liver interventions
Rest
Nutritional therapy
Prevent and treat complications
Acute interventions for bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy
