Liver Disease Revision Questions

Question 1

Signs of liver disease

Answer 1

jaundice
clubbing
spider naevi
bleeding
palmar erythema
ascites
oesophageal varices

Question 2

Stages of liver disease

Answer 2

Hepatitis - inflammation of the liver which can be reversible
Liver Cirrhosis - irreversible liver necrosis and fibrosis
Liver failure - failure of normal liver function

Question 3

Causes of liver disease

Answer 3

Infective - Hep A, B, C, D
non infective - alcohol related, drug induced, non alcoholic fatty liver disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, hacomochromatosis (iron buildup)

Question 4

Alocohol related liver diease

Answer 4

alcohol supresses bone marrow where platelets are produced

low platelets

Question 5

Liver disease have thrombocytopenia

Answer 5

reduced production of thrombopoetin (regulates platelet production)
anti cancer agents
bone marrow suppression by hep C
antiviral treatment with infection blind therapy or increased destruction of platelets through phagocytosis in enlarged spleen

Question 6

Blood tests for liver disease

Answer 6

FBC
LFT
Cogulation screening
U & E’s

Question 7

Liver impairment and dentistry

Answer 7

make sure dentally fit
LA - lignocaine fully metabolised in the liver, articaine mainly metoblosied in plasma and prcessed in liver so good (use articaine infiltrations instead of blocks as reduces risk of haematoma formation)
Drugs - avoid NSAIDs as increases bleeding risks which result in mucosal bleeding, unable to metabolise drugs
Antibiotics - erythomycin - have effects on the liver so avoid