Test 2 - Hepatic, Pancreatic, Respiratory Flashcards
Define Hepatitis
Widespread inflammation of the liver cells, resulting in enlargement of the liver
What types of causes are there for Hepatitis?
- Viral
- Bacterial
- Toxic Substances (ETOH, drugs, etc.)
- Immune
How is Hepatitis A transmitted?
Fecal-orally
What does it take to kill Hepatitis A on surfaces/objects?
Bleach or very high temperatures
detergents and acids don’t work
What type of symptoms are seen with Hepatitis A?
Mainly GI symptoms
What is Hepatitis A pre-exposure treatment?
Hep A Virus Vaccine (2 doses, 6 months apart)
What is Hepatitis A post-exposure treatment?
Immune globulins within 2 weeks PLUS vaccination
Healthy pts (12 months - 40 years): only need vaccine post-exposure
How is Hepatitis B transmitted?
Blood and Body Fluids (semen, vaginal secretions, and perinatal exposure during birth)
Which Hepatitis do most adults develop immunity to if exposed?
Hepatitis B
What are patients with chronic hepatitis at increased risk for?
Cirrhosis and Liver Cancer
Who should be tested for Hepatitis B?
Pregnant women with each pregnancy
What is pre-exposure care for Hepatitis B?
Vaccination
What is post-exposure care for Hepatitis B?
Immune globulin (IG) + vaccination
- Perinatal Exposure: treat within 12 hours
- Exposure: treat within 2 weeks
How is Hepatitis C transmitted?
Blood
What activity results in the highest incidence of Hepatitis C?
IV drug abuse
Is breastfeeding allowed with Hepatitis C?
Only if nipples aren’t cracked and/or bleeding
Is there a vaccine for Hepatitis C?
No vaccine available, chronic condition if not cured
Who should be screened for Hepatitis C?
Anyone older than 18 (once), and pregnant women
How is Hepatitis D contracted?
It is contracted with Hepatitis B as a co-infection or superinfection
How does the Hepatitis D fatality compare with Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis D is much more fatal
Which variants of Hepatitis can a person be vaccinated for?
Hepatitis A, B, D (through B vaccination)
What are the functions of the liver?
- Formation of Albumin
- Formation of clotting factors such as Prothrombin
- Convert ammonia to urea (BUN)
- Vitamin Storage (A, D, E, K, B12)
- Drug metabolism, breakdown, and excretion
- Formation of Bile
- Hormone homeostasis
- Immunity through phagocytic cells
What is Bile used for?
Bile is used in fa metabolism and fat soluble vitamins
What does ammonia result from?
Protein metabolism results in a waste product of ammonia
Why is Vitamin K important?
It’s a key component for clotting factors
What are clinical manifestations for Liver Failure?
- Mostly asymptomatic/flu-like, until the end stages
- Abdominal pain
- Joint/muscle pain
- Lethargy/Malaise
- Fever
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Pruritus
- Jaundice (Icterus) - only in late stages
Hepatitis A Testing
IgM ant-HAV antibodies: current infection
IgG anti-HAV antibodies: immunity/recovery
Hepatitis B Testing
HBcAB (Core antibody) - exposure to virus/natural infection “presumptive infectious”
HBsAG (Surface antigen) - acute or chronic (after 6 months) infection
Hepatitis C Testing
HCV Antibody (+) - presumptive: past/current infection
HCV RNA (+) - currently infected
What are the diagnostic tests for assessing the degree of liver injury?
- ALT
- AST
- ALT/AST Ratio
- Albumin
- Ammonia
- BUN
- PT, PTT, INR times
- Bilirubin: conjugated ( cirrhosis) and unconjugated (obstruction and hepatitis)
What is the lifespan of RBCs?
120 days
Liver Biopsy Care: Before
- NPO for 6 hours
- Check clotting times
- Admin “-phyton” PRN
- Informed consent
- V/S
Liver Biopsy Care: During
- Instruct to exhale and hold
- DON’T move during procedure
Liver Biopsy Care: After
- R side position
- V/S
- Assess for S/S of hemorrhage
Safety for Liver Failure Patients
- Bleed risk: electric razor, no sticks
- Vitamin supplements (Thiamine, B vitamins)
- Diet: small, frequent, high carb meals
What can cause cirrhosis of the liver?
Hepatitis and alcohol (mainly), also any liver disease
What is Cirrhosis of the Liver?
A chronic, destructive course resulting in end-stage liver disease
What is a possible side-effect of Liver Cirrhosis?
Gynecomastia
What are the 4 basic types of Cirrhosis?
Laennec’s: r/t alcohol intake
Post Necrotic: r/t infectious or toxic hepatitis (most common world wide)
Biliary Cirrhosis: biliary obstruction or destructrion
Cardiac Cirrhosis: secondary to CHF
What are common assessment findings for Cirrhosis?
- Jaundice
- Ascites
- Edema
- Vitamin deficiency
- Petechiae
- Ecchymosis
What are complications of Cirrhosis?
- Portal Hypertension
- Bleeding esophageal varices
- Coagulation defects
- Jaundice
- Ascites
- Hepatic encephalopathy (leads to ammonia in the brain)
- Gynecomastia
What is Portal Hypertension?
Increased pressure within the portal vein due to cirrhosis (liver scarring)
What can Portal Hypertension cause?
- Splenomegaly
- Varices (dilated veins)
- Ascites (peritoneal fluid build-up and swelling)
How much blood flows through the liver?
1,500 mL/min
Where do varices commonly occur?
- Distal esophagus
- Stomach
- Rectum
Why are varices a problem?
They are prone to leakage and rupture
What could cause rupture of varices?
- Coughing
- Strenuous exercise
- Trauma
What does high levels of Ammonia cause?
Decreased LOC
What is the recommended treatment for Variceal Hemorrhage?
- Maintain the airway
- Replace volume (caution with LR - may elevate ammonia in sever liver disease)
- Prep for emergent endoscopy
- Insert NGT: assess new bleeding and lavage
- Reduce hepatic blood flow (use “-pressin”, but nitro to counteract around the heart)
What is a common symptom of variceal hemorrhage?
Projectile vomiting
Long-term Varices Management
- Screening endoscopies
- Beta Blockers (“-lol”)
- Monitor Hgb and Hct, anemia, melena (bloody stool), and coffee ground emesis
- TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt): reduces portal venous pressure
Symptoms for Excess Bilirubin
- Jaundice: skin, sclera, mucuos membranes
- Pruritis (itching)
- Clay colored stools: no bile in GI tract
- Dark colored urine
- Need to avoid high temperature = increased itch
- Keep skin clean and moisturized
- Use antihistamines
- Keep nails short
What are the fat soluble vitamins?
- A
- D
- E
- K
Nursing Considerations for a Coagulation Defect
- Monitor PT, PTT, INR
- Monitor for s/s bleeding, coagulation studies
- Vitamin K PRN (SubQ, IM, PO) “-phyton”
Where is Albumin produced?
The liver
What is ascites?
Fluid accumulation in the peritoneum
What does low albumin cause?
A fluid shift into the interstitial space
What is the best/most reliable way to assess ascites?
Ultrasound
Nursing Care for Ascites
- Diuretics (lasix, aldactone)
- Limit Na (0.5 - 2 g/day)
- Limit PO and IVF (1,000 - 1,500 mL/day)
- Check electrolytes
- Elevate HOB
- Check abdominal girth
- Input/Output and daily weight
What is the purpose of a paracentesis?
To relieve abdominal pressure and to evaluate the peritoneal fluid
Paracentesis pre-procedure care
- Consent form
- Void prior to procedure
- Upright position
- Albumin IV
Paracentesis post-op care
- V/S, including weight
- Monitor for s/s hypovolemia
- Albumin replace if ordered (for larger amount drained)
Long-term Management for Ascites
- PleurX Drainage system (q 1-2 days)
- Shunt Placement
High complication rate:
-Infection, Bleeding, Shunt Failure
What is a result of Portal-Systemic Encephalopathy (PSE)?
Altered mental capacity d/t high serum ammonia
What are the common precipitating factors for PSE?
- Excessive protein intake and GI bleeds (protein digestion = higher ammonia)
- Constipation (GI flora change increases ammonia)
- Drugs (opioids, sedatives, analgesics)
- Infection
- Electrolyte imbalance (low K)
Symptoms of PSE
- Restlessness, short attention span, LOC change
- Asterixis “wrist flap” (unable to hyperextended wrist)
- Fetor hapticus (liver breath)
- Comatose
Treatment of PSE (Supportive care)
- Protein restriction (plant proteins)
- Avoid electrolyte imbalances and dehydration
- Fall precautions
- Vulnerable to over-sedation
Treatment of PSE (To lower ammonia)
-Administer “lactulose” (titrate to 2-4 stools/day)
-Lower colonic pH
S/E: Abd cramps, hyperglycemia, diarrhea -> hypokalemia and dehydration
-Antibiotics
What are the two types of Liver Cancer?
- Primary Hepatic Cancer: originates in the liver
- Metastatic Hepatic Tumor: originates outside the liver
What are the main causes for Primary Hepatic Cancer?
- Chronic Hepatitis B or C (most common)
- Cirrhosis
What are the symptoms of Liver Cancer?
They depend on the amount/size of damage
- Early S/S: vague, until large tumor
- Jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy
- Elevated (AFP) alpha-fetoprotein levels
Treatment for Liver Cancer
- Surgical management if contained to only 1 lobe, may increase survival by up to 5 years
- Chemotherapy
- Cryotherapy
Organ Transplants
- Obesity leads to fatty liver = unable to donate
- Prioritized on a waiting list
Liver Transplant Considerations
Transplant not an option for:
- Malignant cancer
- Severe CVD
- Inability to follow instructions about drug therapy or self-care
Post Transplant Care
-Monitor s/s of rejection
-Infection risk
-Hepatic or Renal complications
Bleeding
Petechiae
Ecchymosis
Elevated liver and renal function tests
What are the types of Pancreatitis?
- Acute
- Chronic
What is Acute Pancreatitis?
Exocrine disorder
-Premature activation of pancreatic enzymes which leads to auto-digestion
What are symptoms of Pancreatitis?
- Severe epigastic, L quadrant pain (most common)
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Abdominal distention
- Jaundice
- Low grade fever
- Hypovolemic shock: tachycardia, hypotension r/t inflammation
- Grey turner’s sign: flank
- Cullen’s sign: belly button
Pancreatitis pain
- “Boring” pain
- Worsened in supine
- Lessened in fetal position
Where is Cullen’s Sign found?
The belly button
Where is Grey Turner’s Sign found?
The flank
At what Hgb do you transfuse blood?
Hgb <9
Potential Complications of Pancreatitis
- Jaundice
- Hyperglycemia
- Hypocalcemia (HALLMARK of pancreatic/fat necrosis)
- Pulmonary complications (ARDS, pleural effusion, atelectasis, pneumonia)
- Paralytic ileus d/t peritoneal irritation
- Hypovolemic shock d/t fluid shift and/or hemorrhage
- DIC (deactivated clotting factors)
- Renal failure d/t hypovolemia
What are diagnostic tests for Pancreatitis?
- Elevated serum Amylase
- Elevated serum Lipase
- Elevated WBC
- Decreased Hgb and Hct
- Elevated ALT
- Elevated glucose r/t insulin production stopping
- Decreased potassium r/t N/V
- Decreased calcium r/t lipolysis
Pancreatitis Interventions
-A,B,C ICS, Cough and Deep Breathe Fluid replacement -Pain control - morphine (demerol by old HCPs) -Input and Output -Monitor labs -Nutrition: TPN, enteral or PO feeds (assess peristalsis) -Histamine blockers/PPI
Invasive Pancreatitis Treatments
- Drain pancreatic abscess to remove necrotic tissue
- ERCP to remove gallstones
How survivable is Pancreatitis?
90% recover with just supportive care in 5-7 days
10% die from acute pancreatitis r/t severe respiratory issues -> left lower lung issues
“Ranson criteria” to evaluate chance of outcome
What is Chronic Pancreatitis?
A progressive, destructive disease that goes through phases of remission and exacerbation
What is the primary risk factor for Chronic Pancreatitis?
Alcoholism