MedSurg2 - Exam 2 Flashcards
Why is angiogenesis non-productive in cirrhosis?
Prevents effective, efficient flow of blood thru the liver
Why do you see anemia in liver patients?
Liver unable to store iron
What causes increase in ammonia in cirrhosis?
Breakdown of amino acids to ammonia, but liver can’t convert to urea
(GI bleeding exacerbates - breakdown of RBCs)
(Gut bacteria exacerbates - helps break down proteins)
Why use 1st gen beta blockers with liver prophylaxis?
Non-selective - vasodilation and effects on heart.
Why use vasoconstrictors for a GI bleed?
Constriction of blood vessels has been shown to decrease blood flow to organs
1 thing to do when a pt starts vomiting blood (or showing signs of GI bleed?)
1 sit upright. #2 suction (or have on standby).
Prioritization order of GI bleed (obvious)
Sit upright
Give blood
Stop the bleeding
Why would a GI bleed lead to increased ammonia levels?
B/c RBCs leftover in GI tract will be digested, broken down, protein —> ammonia.
Early manifestations of cirrhosis
GI probs (ANV, changes in bowels)
Abdominal discomfort
Hepatosplenomegaly
Weight loss
Late manifestations of cirrhosis
Portal HTN 2nd & 3rd spacing Jaundice Hematologic, Endocrine & Hormonal disorders Peripheral neuropathies Hepatic encephalopathy (end stage)
What happens to PT/INR levels when liver isn’t functioning well?
They increase (check normal range - above 2ish, maybe?)
What happens to the CBC when liver function decreases?
RBCs, WBCs and Platelets decrease
What is an EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) for?
Screens for esophageal varices
Insufficient packaging of what part of the RBC leads to hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice?
The “heme” portion, which is broken down into bilirubin.
Failing breakdown of RBCs (and hyperbilirubinemia) manifest in what physiological symptoms?
Jaundice
Anemia (iron from the RBCs can’t be stored).
Clay-colored stools
Increased ammonia levels
What happens to the biliary duct in cirrhosis and hyperbilirubinemia?
It gets clogged, so bilirubin can’t be excreted.
Why are GI bleeds more likely in cirrhosis and why are they so dangerous?
Varices in esophagus, stomach and spleen occur because of portal hypertension (backpressure from liver into veins) - these are likely to open/tear/rupture.
AND - there increased hydrostatic pressure in those vessels.
This is a risk because the liver isn’t producing as many clotting factors and the spleen is sequestering platelets.
Signs/symptoms of a GI bleed
Low BP Black, tarry stools or hemoccult Change in LOC Anemia Cool skin Emesis with frank blood or coffee ground texture
How to prevent GI bleeds in cirrhosis?
Avoid spicy, acidic, greasy or hard/crunchy foods
Avoid NSAIDs, ASA, ETOH
Treat URTIs quickly with cough suppressants (pressure/force from coughing can burst esophageal varices)
If severe, soft or puréed diet.
What meds are used to treat a patient with portal hypertension?
Propranolol (1st generation beta blocker - to vasodilate AND lower HR)
H2 receptor blocker and/or PPI (to decrease gastric acid d/t risk of bleeding varices)
Treatment for pts with bleeding varices (nursing and MD)
- Airway management: (Sit upright, suction)
- Give PRBCs and clotting factors
- NGO tube for gastric lavage (need stuff out of the stomach) (NPO!)
- Vasoconstrictive drugs (Octreotide, Vasopressin, Somatostatin)
- Balloon Tamponade
- Endoscopic Banding/ligation
- Endoscopic scleropathy
- TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystem shunt)
What is a balloon tamponade?
Looks like an NG tube with inflatable balloons down it - function is to put pressure on bleeds in the esophagus or stomach
What is Endoscopic Banding/ligation? Pros and cons?
Surgical procedure to tie off the bulging/bleeding varice with the goal of causing ischemia/necrosis and scar tissue formation/healing.
Pros: Easy and common
Cons: need a puréed diet for healing. Can affect blood flow to other places.
What is Endoscopic scleropathy? What are its cons?
Injection of a solution into a varice to collapse/scar it.
Cons: Ulcers can form where the solution was injected.
What is TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic shunt). What are the pros/cons?
Shunt that’s fed through the jugular to the liver and inserted into the portal vein.
Pros: eliminates portal hypertension that causes as a result of scarring and angiogenesis in the liver
Cons: no filtration occurs - liver filtration becomes 100% nonfunctional.
What is splenic sequestration and why does it happen?
Spleen traps RBCs and platelets (and WBCs) so serum levels are lowered. Results in Anemia, Thrombocytopenia and Neutropenia.
It happens because portal hypertension causes the spleen to enlarge and “increase” its function.
Can Portal hypertension cause systemic hypertension?
Yes, if severe enough.
What are caput medusae?
Varices on the surface of the abdomen around the umbilicus that occur as a result of portal hypertension.
What are the contributing factors to ascites in liver failure?
- Increase in hydrostatic pressure (d/t portal hypertension)
- Decrease in albumin synthesis (decreases oncotic pressure)
- Decrease in hormone metabolism (RAAS stays activated, body retains sodium and water).
(4. Increase in lymph production and drainage into the abdominal cavity.)
Why is there a risk of hypokalemia in ascites (and liver failure)?
B/c hormone (aldosterone) metabolism decreases, RAAS stays active and the body retains sodium, releasing potassium in the urine.
How does bacterial peritonitis relate to ascites?
With bacterial peritonitis, there’s an increase in capillary permeability in the peritoneal cavity.
What are the treatments for ascites?
- Sodium restriction (b/c of effects of circulating aldosterone)
- Diuretic therapy (usually lasix + potassium-sparing)
(Will often include a potassium supplement) - IV albumin (to increase oncotic pressure)
- Paracentesis (to drain extra fluid)
Also, pt will likely need respiratory management (sit upright) and skin care (tight skin and/or peripheral edema can lead to breakdown).
What are some contributing factors to hepatic encephalopathy? 4 possible precipitating events?
Ammonia can’t be converted to urea by the liver any more.
- protein in diet, muscle wasting AND digestion of RBCs from any GI bleed can contribute.
- Gut bacteria also break down proteins and release ammonia
- Muscles that usually help with ammonia to urea conversion are wasting.
Precipitating events:
- GI hemorrhage
- Constipation (increases bacterial digestion of protein)
- Infection (increases the metabolic rate, increasing production of ammonia)
- Hypovolemia (further decreases blood flow to both liver and kidneys, decreasing conversion and filtration)
Signs/symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy
- Change in LOC (confusion, lethargy… eventually rage, somnolence, coma)
- Change in coordination/motor response
- Asterixis (late), tremor
- slurred speech
What is Lactulose prescribed for? Titrate to ______
Reduce ammonia levels via 2 mechanisms:
- trapping ammonia in the gut
- prevents bacterial growth d/t lowered gut pH
Titrate to 2-4 soft stools per day
What are Neomycin or Metronidazole prescribed for in cirrhosis?
Hepatic encephalopathy: to reduce ammonia levels.
MOA: poor systemic absorption, so stay in the gut and kill the bacteria there. Prevents bacterial digestion of proteins/decreases ammonia production in the gut.
What is mannitol prescribed for in hepatic encephalopathy?
Reduces cerebral edema (by creating high osmolality of the blood), but does nothing to the ammonia levels.
When do you use a protein restriction with cirrhosis?
ONLY if pts have hepatic encephalopathy.
What are the mechanisms of cirrhosis that result in hematological changes? What are the physiological effects?
- Less clotting factors produced
- Less Vitamin K storage, iron storage
- Splenomegaly: excessive removal of RBCs from circulation.
Coagulation disorders (bleeding, Purpura, petechia, bruising)
Thrombocytopenia
Anemia
Leukopenia.
What would you expect the physician would give if a pt with cirrhosis had a low Hgb/Hct level?
PRBCs
If PT/INR is too high in a pt with cirrhosis, what do you anticipate the physician would order?
Clotting factors
Maybe vitamin k
What hormonal changes happen with cirrhosis and why?
Liver can’t metabolize/deactivate hormones.
Aldosterone excess: fluid retention, sodium retention, hypokalemia
Estrogen excess in both sexes: ruddy complexion d/t vasodilation at subQ tissues, palmar erythema, spider angiomas.
Women experience changes to menstrual cycle and hair growth (testosterone not deactivated)
Men experience gynecomastia and testicular atrophy (estrogen not deactivated)
Why does Pruritis occur in cirrhosis?
Toxins accumulate and irritate the tissues (bilirubin, bile salts, histamine, endogenous opioids)
Malnutrition in cirrhosis occurs because of what factors?
- Changes in the way the body metabolizes carbs, fats and proteins
- ascites puts pressure on the GI tract
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal fullness
- Impaired digestion and nutrient absorption
- Increased blood volume (remember fluid retention)= increased energy demand
- catabolism and muscle wasting occur
What is the recommended treatment for malnutrition in cirrhosis patients?
Hi-calorie, High carb, LOW SALT, with NO protein restriction.
Protein supplements available for proteins metabolized by muscles
Supplements: B complex, folic acid, iron.
What is the mechanism of injury in acute pancreatitis?
Damage to acinar cells = leakage of digestive enzymes into tissue. Enzymes are activate prematurely and start digesting the pancreas.
What are the major risks with pancreatitis?
Bleeding risk (vascular damage d/t digestion of tissues)
Major fluid shift/3rd spacing (endothelial cell retraction d/t inflammatory response) can lead to hypovolemic shock, sepsis and organ failure.
What can cause acute pancreatitis?
Excessive alcohol consumption (increases permeability of pancreatic ducts)
Biliary tract disease (can become blocked so enzymes can’t get to the duodenum.
What is an ERCP (post endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) used for and what is the risk?
-Used to assess for pancreatitis or to assess/dislodge gallstones.
Risk: the injection of dye used to determine if blockages exist can worsen or cause pancreatitis.
What is the hallmark sign of pancreatitis?
Pain (LUQ) - very intense
Constant (not colicky) that worsens when eating
Does not go away with vomiting
May radiate to back or behind the left shoulder blade
May be relieved by fetal position d/t compression
What are all the signs/symptoms of Acute pancreatitis?
Pain
NVA
Fever (inflammatory response to digestion of tissues)
Jaundice (only if the bile duct is clogged/liver is also a problem)
Decreased bowel tones (SNS activation d/t pain, decreased perfusion to gut)
Decreased BP (if 3rd spacing)
Grey Turner’s sign
Cullen’s Sign
Trousseau’s sign
Dyspnea
Shock
What is Grey Turner’s sign?
Red/brown discoloration down flanks that indicates bleeding into the peritoneal cavity in Acute Pancreatitis.
What is Cullen’s Sign?
Red discoloration across the abdomen that indicates blood is leaking into the subcutaneous tissue.
What is Trousseau’s sign?
Contraction of muscles with 3m inflation of BP cuff: indicates hypocalcemia.
Likely to be positive in acute pancreatitis.
Why would Trousseaus’ sign be positive in pancreatitis?
Calcium in the blood binds with fatty acids that are released as pancreatic tissue dies.
What are the primary lab tests for Acute Pancreatitis? What other lab changes would you see?
Serum Amylase and Lipase levels increase (pancreas is trying to compensate for the enzymes not reaching the gut)
Increased Glucose (insulin function not working as well, stress response) Decreased Calcium (fatty acids bind after death of pancreatic tissues) LFTs and Bilirubin increase, but only if there’s a problem with the liver
What imaging test offers the clearest view of pancreatitis?
CT scans.
Also possible are abdominal US, X-rays, ERCP and MRCP - mri dye
A patient arrives with suspected acute pancreatitis in the ED - what are the order of operations?
- Give O2 (b/c there is a high risk of shock)
- IV fluid bolus
- Pain relief (perhaps opioid PCA) (HOLD if BP is super low)
- NPO with NG tube set on low/intermittent
- Insulin (sliding scale)
- Ranitidine or Omeprazole to decrease gastric acid.