Liver function

Question 1

What kind of abnormalities do alteration in liver function cause

Answer 1

coagulation, encephalopathy, jaundice

Question 2

Causes of acute liver failure

Answer 2

drug-induced, viral infections, vascular causes, metabolic causes

Question 3

Vascular cause of acute liver failure

Answer 3

shock, heart failure , vascular obstruction –> any interference with blood supply

Question 4

HELLP syndrome

Answer 4

complication of pregnancy identified by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count

Question 5

Reye syndrome

Answer 5

severe, fatal disease that can cause encephalopathy and liver injury/failure

Question 6

Diagnosis of acute liver failure

Answer 6

CT, labs (LFT, amylase, lipase, CBC, hepatitis serologies, autoimmune markers)

Question 7

What is N-acetylcysteine used for

Answer 7

treat acetaminophen toxicity

Question 8

What is acyclovir used for

Answer 8

treat herpes

Question 9

Hepatic encephalopathy

Answer 9

liver fails to filter toxic substances from the blood, causing build-up in the brain

Question 10

Grade 1 hepatic encephalopathy s/s

Answer 10

mild personality changes, decreased attention span

Question 11

Grade 2 hepatic encephalopathy s/s

Answer 11

disorientation, incontinent of urine and stool

Question 12

Grade 3 hepatic encephalopathy s/s

Answer 12

ICU, intubated with mechanical ventilation, stuporous but responsive to noxious stimulation

Question 13

Grade 4 hepatic encephalopathy s/s

Answer 13

comatose, unresponsive to any stimulation

Question 14

Asterixis

Answer 14

bilateral flapping tremor most often seen in wrist with dorsiflexion, ask patients to stick arms out and hands with flap arms down

Question 15

What is the main marker of hepatic encephalopathy

Answer 15

ammonia levels

Question 16

Treatment of hepatic encephalopathy

Answer 16

lactulose

Question 17

Azotemia

Answer 17

build-up of nitrogenous wastes, increased BUN/creatinine

Question 18

Ascites

Answer 18

abnormal collection of fluid in the abdominal cavity

Question 19

Contributing factors to ascites

Answer 19

portal hypertension, hypoalbuminemia

Question 20

Treatment for ascites

Answer 20

albumin to pull fluid off, paracentesis to drain fluid off, pleurX drain

Question 21

Greatest concern of cerebral edema secondary to acute liver failure

Answer 21

increased ICP and brain herniation

Question 22

Treatment of cerebral edema

Answer 22

intracranial pressure monitoring, adequate sedation, hypothermia

Question 23

What causes the decrease in coagulation

Answer 23

liver is unable to produce clotting factors

Question 24

Treatment of coagulation changes

Answer 24

vitamin K, FFP, platelets

Question 25

Hypoglycemia cause in acute liver failure

Answer 25

unable to clear insulin or make glucose