Liver: hepatitis and cirrhosis Flashcards
What are the 4 major types of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia?
physiologic jaundice (50%) breastfeeding-associated jaundice (10-25%) breastmilk jaundice (2-3%) hemolytic disease (pathologic)
Describe the cause, onset, and treatment for breastfeeding-associated jaundice
Cause - poor milk intake related to fewer calories and fluid consumed by infant before mother's milk is established Onset - 4-7 days after birth Treatment - Frequent breastfeeding - Caloric supplements e.g. formula - phototherapy for bililrubin > 275 mcmol/L
Describe the cause, onset, and treatment for breast milk jaundice
Cause
- Possible factors in breast milk that prevent bilirubin breakdown to water soluble form and/or decreased excretion of bilirubin
- less frequent stooling
Onset
- 4-7 days after birth
Treatment
- temporary discontinuation of breastfeeding for up to 24h to identify causes; as bilirubin levels decrease, resume breastfeeding
- may include home phototherapy with uninterrupted breastfeeding
Describe the cause, onset, and treatment for jaundice caused by hemolytic disease
Cause
- Rh incompatibility –> RBC hemolysis
- liver unable to conjugate and excrete excess bilirubin from breakdown
Onset
- DURING 1st 24h
Treatment
- postnatal phototherapy; if severe, exchange transfusion
- prenatal transfusion (fetus)
- prenatal prevent Rh incompatibility of Rh negative mother with RhoGAM
What are some potential complications of hyperbilirubinemia?
- Bilirubin encephalopathy d/t toxicity of unconjugated bilirubin to neurons (kernicterus)
- Physiologic jaundice
Bilirubin is damaging to neurons when toxic blood levels are reached. What factors would contribute to this?
Metabolic acidosis
decreased levels of albumin
abrupt increases in BP
drugs such as salicylates or sulfonamides that compete for the attachment of proteins
any condition that increases demand for oxygen or glucose will increase the risk of brain damage despite lower levels of bilirubin: fever, hypoxia, hypothermia, hypoglycemia
Explain how phototherapy and early/frequent breastfeeding work as treatment for hyperbilirubinemia.
Phototherapy: fluorescent lights cause photoisomerization i.e. alters structure of bilirubin to souble form (lumirubin) for easier excretion
Breastfeeding promotes intestinal motility, decreased reabsorption of unconjugated bilirubin, and establishes normal flora to effectively enhance the excretion of unconjugated bilirubin
What are some side effects of phototherapy?
- Loose green stools, transient skin rashes, hyperthermia, increased metabolic rate, dehydration, and skin breakdown
- Bronze baby syndrome: serum, urine, and skin turn grey-brown when under bili lights d/t retention of converted bili-lite bilirubin (clears spontaneously)
Describe the anatomy and location of the liver
heavy and red organ due to vascular supply
gritty due to storage of minerals
smooth due to storage of fat
largest gland in body
on right side of body below diaphragm
blood supply is largely venous - bring nutrients from GIT: 70% portal vein and 30% hepatic artery
Kuppfer’s cells - part of reticuloendothelial system in immune function
Liver has 500+ functions, but name and briefly describe the main ones
Vascular: blood storage and filtration
- hold ~13% of body’s blood
Metabolic: carbohydrate metabolism - stores ~ 4 hours of glycogen, broken down under the influence of EP (glycogenolysis), and formation of glucose from amino and fatty acids (GNG)
- fat storage and metabolism, production of lipoproteins, cholesterol (for bile, steroid hormones), phospholipids (cell membranes)
- protein metabolism: synthesis of serum proteins e.g. albumin, fibrinogen, alpha and beta transport globulins
Coagulation: synthesis of clotting components (all except factor VIII) and heparin
Biotransformation: removal of activated clotting factors from circulation
Detoxification and biotransformation of hormones, drugs, and other substances
Secretory function: bilirubin production
Storage function: fat soluble vitamins, blood, glucose, fat, minerals (iron, magnesium)
What is the normal albumin:globulin ratio
Albumin 2: Globulin 1
Where is albumin produced? Where are gamma globulins produced?
Albumin - liver
Gamma globulin - B lymphocytes
Which 2 organs work together to break down insulin?
Liver and kidney
What are the fat-soluble vitamins and what are their main functions?
A - vision and skin
D - antioxidant, assist calcium absorption
* must be converted from D1–>D2 (by liver) then kidneys convert from D2 –> D3
E - antioxidant
K - clotting
Explain the process of deamination of proteins in the liver
Proteins –> amino acids –> amine group = NH2 broken off amino acid so that ketoacids can go to kreb’s cycle to be used for energy
amine group converted to insoluble ammonia (NH3) by GIT bacterial flora –> ammonia to be converted into urea by liver requires potassium –> urea is water soluble –> excreted by kidneys
Blood leaves the liver and enters the inferior vena cava through the
a. heptatic artery
b. hepatic vein
c. portal artery
d. portal vein
B) hepatic vein
The liver plays a major role in glucose metabolism by
a. producing ketone bodies
b. synthesizing albumin
c. participating in gluconeogenesis
d. all of the above
C) participating in gluconeogenesis
The liver synthesizes prothrombin only if there is enough vitamin
a. A
b. B12
c. D
d. K
D) K
The substance necessary for the manufacture of bile salts by hepatocytes is
a. albumin
b. bilirubin
c. cholesterol
d. vitamin D
C) cholesterol
The main function of the bile salts is
a. albumin synthesis
b. fat emulisification in the intestines
c. lipid manufacture for the transport of proteins
d. urea synthesis from ammonia
B) fat emulsification in the intestines
Hepatocellular dysfunction will result in all of the following except:
a. decreased serum albumin
b. elevated serum bilirubin
c. increased blood ammonia levels
d. increased levels of urea
D) increased levels of urea
A person who consumes contaminated shellfish would probably develop hepatitis
a) A virus
b) B virus
c) non-A, non-B virus
d) C virus
A) A virus
Immune serum globulin provides passive immunity to type A hepatitis if administered 2-7 days after exposure. Immunity is effective for about
a. 1 month
b. 2 months
c. 3 months
d. 4 months
B) 2 months
Choose the correct statement about hepatitis B vaccine
a. All persons at risk should receive active immunization
b. Evidence suggests that the HIV may be harbored in the vaccine
c. It should be given only once because of its potency
d. One dose in the dorsogluteal muscle is recommended
A) All persons at risk should receive active immunization
Indications for post exposure vaccination with hepatitis B immune globulin include
a. accidental exposure to HBsAg-positive blood
b. perinatal exposure
c. sexual contact with those who are positive for HbsAg
d. all of the above
D) all of the above
Late presentations of hepatic cirrhosis include all of the following except
a. edema
b. hypoalbuminemia
c. hypokalemia
d. hypercalcemia
D) hypercalcemia
Cirrhosis results in shunting of the portal system blood into collateral blood vessels in the GIT. The most common site is
a. esophagus
b. lower rectum
c. stomach
d. a combination of all of the above
D) a combination of all of the above
Indicator of probable esophageal varices is:
a. hematemesis
b. anemia
c. melena
d. all of the above
D) all of the above
Bleeding esophageal varices result in decrease in
a. nitrogen load from bleeding
b. renal perfusion
c. serum ammonia
d. all of the above
B) renal perfusion
Before a liver biopsy the nurse should check to see 3 things
- blood cross-matched
- hemostasis tests
- vital signs
The nurse begins preparing for the biopsy assisting the client into the correct position which is
a. Trendelenburg with the exposure of the thoracic region
b. recumbent with the right upper abdomen exposed
c. lying on the right side with the left upper thoracic area exposed
d. supine with the left lateral chest wall exposed
B) recumbent with the RUQ exposed
Immediately before needle insertion, the client needs to be instructed to
a. breathe slowly and deply so that the rib cage expansion will be minimized during needle insertion
b. inhale and exhale deeply and then hold her breath at the end of expiration until the needle is inserted
c. pant deeply and continue panting during needle insertion so pain perception will be minimized
d. take a deep inspiration and not breathe for 30 seconds so the needle insertion site can be determined then resume normal breathing for the rest of the procedure
B) inhale and exhale deeply and hold her breath at the end of expiration until the needle is inserted
After the biopsy the nurse assists the client to
a. high Fowler’s position in which the client can effectively deep breathe and cough
b. ambulate with splinting her incision
c. assume the Trendelenburg position to prevent post biopsy shock
d. the right side lying position with a pillow placed under the right costal margin
D) right side lying position with a pillow placed under the right costal margin
After a paracentesis a client should be observed for signs of vascular collapse which include the following except:
a. bradycardia
b. hypotension
c. oliguria
d. pallor
e. pyrexia
A) bradycardia and
E) pyrexia
The alterations in liver function that occur in cirrhosis relate to
a. formation of bands of fibrous tissue that replace normal hepatic cells and distort the architecture of the liver
b. excessive accumulation of fat within hepatocytes and biliary ducts
c. localized injury to biliary ducts in the liver
d. abnormal deposition of minerals within hepatic cells and biliary ducts
A) formation of bands of fibrous tissue that replace normal hepatic cells and distort the architecture of the liver
In cirrhosis, an increased blood ammonia level is related to impaired liver function as it relates to
a. gluconeogenesis
b. prothrombin production
c. production of ketones
d. urea synthesis
D) urea synthesis
The encephalopathies or alterations in CNS function which appear late in the course of cirrhosis are associated with
a. impaired blood flow to the brain resulting from portal vein obstruction
b. failure of the liver to remove ammonia and metabolic wastes from the blood
c. elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen
d. elevated blood sugar levels
B) failure of the liver to remove ammonia and metabolic wastes from the blood
Asterixis is best described as
a. small reddened pinopint center from which tiny capillaries extend
b. an intention hand tremor
c. noticeable uncontrolled bobbing of extended hands
d. distended tortuous veins radiating from the umbilicus
e. inability to replicate basic figures from a drawing
C) noticeable uncontrolled bobbing of extended hands
T/F: Factors that contribute to the formation of ascites include decreased aldosterone levels, portal HTN, hypernatremia, hypoalbuminemia
False: there are increased aldosterone levels in liver cirrhosis
From the following list, select clinical manifestations that are common to cirrhosis and renal failure. Explain the pathophysiology for those manifestations.
a. cardiac dysrhythmias
b. ascites
c. hypotension
d. osteoporosis
e. anemia
f. GI bleeding
g. oliguria
h. yellow skin discolouration
i. altered LOC
j. ankle edema
A. cardiac dysrhythmias in renal failure due to increased potassium retention; in liver failure due to bleeding/hemolysis causing increased serum potassium
D. osteoporosis in renal failure due to lack of calcium absorption (with low vitamin D2->3 conversion); in liver failure due to lack of calcium absorption (low vitamin D1->2 conversion)
E. anemia in renal failure due to lack of EPO and RBC production; in liver failure due to bleeding, decreased sythesis of clotting factors with decreased absorption of vitamin K, decreased synthesis of proteins (Hgb), low iron (for heme) and vitamin B12 storage (for maturation of RBC)
F. GI bleeding in renal and liver failure due to low calcium; liver failure due to decreased sythesis of clotting factors
G. oliguria due to hypoperfusion; in renal failure due to low GFR; in liver failure due to hypoalbuminemia and decreased blood volume (bleeding) = hepatorenal syndrome
I. altered LOC in renal failure due to metabolic acidosis; in liver failure due to buildup of ammonia –> encephalopathy
J. ankle edema in renal failure due to fluid overload and shifting into interstitial spaces; in liver failure due to portal HTN, hyperaldosteronism, hypoalbuminemia, ascites blocks venous return
Which of the following is NOT a metabolic function of the liver?
a. detoxifying chemicals
b. synthesizing and storing glycogen
c. breaking down RBC and WBC
d. synthesizing and secreting bile
C) breaking down RBC and WBC
- most occurs in the spleen
When caring for a patient with cirrhosis, you’d want to remain alert for spontaneous bleeding caused by the
a. rupture of esophageal varices
b. decreased synthesis of blood-clotting factors by the liver
c. failure of the gut to absorb water-soluble vitamins needed to promote coagulation
d. decreased venous pressures as well as slow blood flow
B) decreased synthesis of blood-clotting factors by the liver