Test #3 Flashcards
What are causes of hepatitis 6
- Viral (most common)
- Alcohol
- Medications
- Chemicals
- Autoimmune diseases
- Metabolic disorders
What is a good way to remember what causes hepatitis A
Remember I “ate” it, because it can be caused by fecal oral
What are the best ways to prevent hep A 2
- Short-term Vaccine
- Hand washing
What sucks about hep A
The greatest risk for transmission occurs before your symptoms even appear (so you can be out spreading it without even showing symptoms that you have it)
What is interesting about infants and hep A
They can be excreting hep A in their poop for months after (remember why we’re worried about daycare)
What antibodies indicate an acute hep A infection and what antibody indicates a previous infection or immunization
Acute = IgM
Past/current immunization = IgG
Is Hep A chronic?
No, it’s usually self resolving (so it will eventually go away)
How can we remember how hep B is transmitted
Think B for Blood and Bodily fluids
It can be transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids like semen
What are the different routes that hep B can be transmitted 3
- Perinatally from mom to baby
- Percutaneously (through IV drug use)
- Small cuts on mucosal surfaces getting infected from something like semen, vaginal secretions or saliva)
Can hep B cause acute or chronic hepatitis
It can cause either
Do adults get chronic hepatitis after becoming infected with hep b? If not, what age group is more likely to develop chronic?
No - usually if you become affected as an adult with hep B it will not turn into chronic.
If a child under the age of 5 becomes infected with hep b, then they are more likely to develop chronic hepatitis later on in life
What hepatitis is more likely to cause Acute hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer
Hep B
What is the best way to prevent hep B
- No needle sharing
- Practice safe sex
- Get vaccinated (this is the vaccine we get for nursing school)
What is the at risk population for getting hep B
Men who have sex with men
Household contact of chronically infected
Patients on hemodialysis
Health care and public safety workers
IV drug users
Recipients of blood products
How can we remember hep C
Think C for Chronic
(can be acute, but most turn into chronic and people aren’t symptomatic until the disease has progressed)
How can we remember hep C? Why?
Think C for Chronic.
Most pts will usually develop chronic hepatitis from hep c (puts them at an increase risk of developing cirrhosis, liver failure)
How is hep c contracted? What are the big risk factors?
Contracted percutaneously
IV drug use
High-risk sexual behaviors
Occupational exposure
Perinatal exposure
Blood transfusions before 1992
What sucks about hep C
It usually takes 15-20 years before you have symptoms of liver damage (by then you may already have cirrhosis and liver failure)
What other virus do hep c pts commonly have? Why does this suck?
Usually have HIV, sucks because having both hep C and HIV puts them at an increased risk for progression of cirrhosis
What age group should be screened for hep C
1945-1965
What diagnosis test can determine if someone has hep C
Anti-HCV
If your viral load isn’t high for hep C, what does this mean
You’re in the chronic phase, not acute.
What is hep D also known as
The delta virus
Can a person be solely infected with hep D
No, they need to also have hep B in order for the hep D to replicate
How can we remember Hep E
Remember “Eat”, because it can be transmitted orally
Where is there Hep E
Developing countries where water is more contaminated
Since acute hepatitis is destroying destroying large amounts of hepatocytes (liver cells) what impact can this have? 6
- Decreased bile production
- Coagulation issues (poor clotting times)
- Blood glucose issues (glucose isn’t being stored)
- Protein metabolism issues
- Liver stops making albumin
- Processing of drugs, hormones, and metabolites can be impacted
After an acute infection, what can happen with the liver
One of two things:
- Liver cells can regenerate and resume normal functioning
- The acute hepatitis can be so severe and irreversible that pts can develop liver failure or die
What can chronic hepatitis do to the liver
It can cause continued destruction, which can lead to scar tissue developing, which can become fibrosis and compromise liver function. This can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure.
What are immune system manifestations in the early phase of hepatitis (basically where the immune system is freaking out because of the virus)
- Rash
- Angioedema
- Arthritis
- Fever
- Malaise
- Cryoglobulinemia (clotting of proteins)
- Glomerulonephritis
- Vasculitis
How long does the acute phase last? What are some symptoms? 5
Usually 1-6 months.
- Icteric (jaundiced)
- Pruritis (itching)
- N/V
- Right upper quadrant pain (where the liver is)
- Smokers may develop a distaste for cigs
Simply, which hepatisis is acute and which may develop to chronic
A is acute, while B and C may become chronic
What are complications from hepatitis
Acute liver failure
Chronic hepatitis (Some HBV and majority of HCV infections)
Cirrhosis
Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE)
Ascites
Portal hypertension
Liver cancer
This might be skipping ahead…. But what are we really worried about with portal hypertension? Why?
Bleeding, because the pressure can become really high in the GI, and that pressure has to go somewhere, so it can lead to bleeding, like from varices
What are the symptoms of acute liver failure (ALF) 5
- Encephalopathy
- GI bleeding
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation
- Fever with leukocytosis
- Renal manifestations like oliguria (why renal - tough to perfuse kidneys when liver is messed up)
What serious thing should you always be worried about with someone with liver disease
BLEEDING
What are symptoms of acute hepatitis (a lot)
- Loss of appetite (anorexic)
- Clay-colored stool (gray) (bile makes our poop dark colored)
- Dark urine
- Decreased sense of taste and smell
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Fatigue
- Flu like symptoms
- Hepatomegaly
- Jaundice
- Low grade fever
- Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes in abdomen and groin)
- Myalgias and/or arthralgias (muscle aches/joint aches)
- N/V
- Pruritus
- Righter upper quadrant tenderness
- Splenomegaly
- Weight loss
What are signs of chronic hepatitis (a lot)
- ALT/ASTs elevated
- Ascites, edema in lower extremities
- Asterixis (liver flap)
- Increased bleeding
- Fatigue
- Hepatic encephalopathy (confusion, agitation)
- Increased bilirubin
- Jaundice
- Myalgias and/or arthralgias
- Palmar erythema
- Spider angiomas
What platelet level are we SUPER concerned about
If they drop below 50 (normal range is 150,000-450,000)
What two risk factors make someone more at risk for HBV becoming chronic?
- Acquiring the infection before age 5
- Immunocompromised (say with HIV)
What is hepatic encephalopathy? What symptoms does it cause?
Potentially life-threatening neurologic, psychiatric, and motor issues caused by the liver-s inability to remove toxins (especially ammonia)
What are the risk factors for developing cirrhosis from hepatitis 4
- Male gender
- Alcohol use
- Concomitant fatty liver disease
- Excess iron deposition in liver
What treatment do we give for HE? What should we monitor with it?
Lactulose (to help remove the ammonia from the blood)
Monitor for electrolyte loss
The loss of what leads to ascites?
Albumin, which is a protein made by the liver (if your liver isn’t working, then your not able to make albumin)
What types of tests can we do to diagnosis hepatitis 7
- Specific antigen and/or antibody for each type of viral hepatitis
- Liver function tests
- Viral genotype testing (don’t need to know the specific types)
- Physical assessment findings
- Liver biopsy
- FibroScan
- FibroSure (FibroTest) (blood test)
What is some interprofessional care to help pts with hepatitis 5
- Adequate nutrition
- Rest
- Avoid alcohol and drugs metabolized by the liver
- Might need to notify possible contacts
- Supportive drug therapy like antihistamines (for the itching) and antiemetics
For a pt with hepatitis will their FLTs, bilirubin and ammonia levels be low or high? What are the normal levels?
They will be high
Normal:
ALT/AST 5-56
Bilirubin <1
Ammonia 15-45
Why type of med might someone with hepatitis receive to help boost their immune system?
Interferon (it’s a naturally occurring immune protein in the body, but it still might be given to someone with hepatitis to help fight off the virus)
Even though pts with hepatitis may not need to be put on a special diet, what kinds of “special diet” things may they have 4
- May need to increase calories during the acute phase
- Fat content may need to be decreased if bile production is decreased
- May need b-complex and vitamin k (help with bleeding)
- May need IV glucose
How can we protect people from hep A and hep B 2
- Immunization (A vaccine doesn’t last very long - used for travel or to give to infants under 1 year of age)
- Post-exposure prophylaxis
How can we protect people from hep C since there is not a vaccine or post-exposure prophylaxis 3
- Practice safe sex
- No needle sharing
- Screen all people born between 1945-1965 (remember that C can turn chronic in your body and live in your body for years without you having any symptoms, so that’s why we screen these people)
What is cirrhosis
End-stage liver disease, where there is extensive degeneration and destruction of liver cells, where healthy tissue has now been replaced by fibrous and regenerative nodules
What are the 2 most common causes of cirrhosis
- Hep C
- Alcohol induced liver disease
What are other causes of cirrhosis 8
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (anything that causes an increase in fat deposits in your liver not caused by alcohol)
- Viral hep B and C
- Biliary cirrhosis
- Cardiac cirrhosis (caused by right sided HF - things are getting backed up from the liver, remember the blood flow)
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Extreme dieting
- Genetics
- Environmental factors
Good picture showing how esophageal varices happen
Do we often see early symptoms of cirrhosis? What might those be? 2
Not usually since there are only a few early symptoms that aren’t very unique -
Early symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Enlarged liver
What are late symptoms of cirrhosis 10
- Jaundice
- Peripheral edema
- Ascites
- Skin lesions
- Decreased vitamin k absorption leading to bleeding risks
- Splenomegaly
- Varices (esophageal, gastric, hemorrhoids)
- Endocrine problems (liver plays a role in metabolizing hormones, so it can lead to a buildup of hormones in the body, gynecomastia, amenorrhea, etc.)
- Peripheral neuropathies
- Hypoglycemia
What are the two types of skin lesions that we might see on someone with cirrhosis
- Spider angiomas (small, dilated blood vessels with a bright red center point and spiderlike branches - usually on the nose, cheeks, upper trunk, neck and shoulders)
- Palmar erythema (red area that blanches with pressure on the palms of hands)
Why does jaundice occur
Bile ducts get compressed and obstructed, which leads to a backup of bilirubin, and causes the jaundice symptoms. (basically an increase in bilirubin in the body)
(remember bilirubin is needed to make bile)
What is happening in splenomegaly
Backup of blood caused by the liver into the spleen which can lead to thrombocytopenia, leukopenia and anemia, because the spleen becomes hyperactive and starts removing a large amount of blood cells from circulation
Why do coagulation problems happen in cirrhosis
Because the liver is responsible for making prothrombin and other factors essential clotting factors and cirrhosis interferes with its ability to do so, thus increasing bleeding risks
(a high prothrombin time means that it’s taking too long for our blood to clot, which means the liver isn’t making enough prothrombin)
Basically the liver causes splenomegaly (where the spleen removes a large amount of cells leading to a decrease in RBCs, WBCs), and the liver isn’t able to make an adequate amount of clotting factors
What 3 mechanisms lead to ascites and why
- Portal hypertension (excess proteins move into the lymph space from the blood vessels and water follows)
- Hypoalbuminemia (liver isn’t able to make albumin so fluid isn’t staying in the blood vessels)
- Hyperaldosteronism (liver cells aren’t able to metabolize aldosterone, so it builds up causing sodium retention) `
What is a normal range for albumin
3.5-5.5
The livers inability to remove what, causing a buildup of this substance, can lead to HE
Ammonia
Why is it bad to have a buildup of ammonia
Ammonia can cross the blood brain barrier and can cause neurologic toxic manifestations
What are signs of HE 8
- Impaired consciousness
- Inappropriate behavior
- Sleep disturbances
- Trouble concentrating
- Asterixis (flapping tremors, usually arms and hands)
- Apraxia (inability to construct simple figures when writing)
- Trouble moving pen from left to right
- Fetor hepaticus (musty, sweet odor breath - due to toxins building up)
What is it called when the kidneys are affected by issues with the liver
Hepatorenal syndrome
What are the symptoms of hepatorenal syndrome? Why is it happening? What can fix it?
Symptoms:
- Azotemia (elevated BUN & creatinine)
- Oliguria
- Intractable ascites
Caused by portal hypertension which leads to decreased renal blood flow (kidneys aren’t able to be perfused well enough)
Only treatment is a liver transplant
What lab levels might indicate cirrhosis
- High alkaline phosphate, AST, ALT and glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)
- Low protein and albumin
- Increased bilirubin and globulin
- Prolonged PT time
- Low cholesterol
What are normal alkaline phosphate
AST
ALT
GGT
Albumin
Protein
Bilirubin
PT time
alkaline phosphate (ALP) 40-120
AST 5-40
ALT 7-56
GGT 5-40
Albumin 3.5-5.5
Protein 6.2-8.2
Bilirubin 0.1-1.2
PT time 10-13 seconds
What is the gold standard for determining cirrhosis
Liver biopsy
What does it mean when we say a prolonged PT time
It takes longer to clot (that’s why liver issues pts have increased bleeding risks)
What is some conservative therapy for someone with cirrhosis
- Rest
- Administer B-complex vitamins
- Avoid alcohol
- Avoid aspirin, acetaminophen and NSAIDs (aspirin and NSAIDs increasing bleeding risk and acetaminophen is bad on the liver)
How can we treat ascites 5
- Sodium restriction (2g/day)
- Diuretics to remove fluid
- Possible albumin infusion
- Paracentesis
- Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)
What is our tx for esophageal and gastric varices 6
- Avoid alcohol, aspirin, NSAIDs
- Nonselective beta blockers to decrease portal hypertension
- Octreotide or vasopressin to cause vasoconstriction, decrease portal blood flow and decrease portal hypertension (no pharm on this test)
- Endoscopic band ligation or schlerotherapy
- Balloon tamponade (mechanically compresses varices)
- TIPS
What is happening in TIPS
shunting blood away from the portal blood flow and into the systemic venous system to help reduce portal venous pressure and the pressure on those varices
What do we do if someone is having active bleeding 6
- Fresh frozen plasma
- Packed RBCs
- Vitamin K
- PPIs
- Lactulose to help prevent HE
- Antibiotics
What is interesting about protein for a pt with cirrhosis and no HE and a pt with cirrhosis and HE
Protein restriction may be needed for some pts right after a severe flare of symptoms (like HE), however, protein restriction is rarely needed in pts with cirrhosis and persistent HE, because malnutrition is a bigger issue than HE
(ammonia is a byproduct of the breakdown of protein into amino acids)
(so yes this breakdown of protein can cause HE, but often we’re more concerned about malnutrition)
What is some pt care for someone receiving a paracentesis 4
- Have them go to the bathroom immediately before
- Teach pt to remain immobile during procedure
- Help the pt to a high-fowler position with feet on the floor
- Weigh pt before and after
What should we do if a pt has a balloon tamponade 4
- Verify balloon position with x-ray
- Have scissors at the bedside to cut the tube and deflate the balloon if airway becomes obstructed
- Pts can’t swallow with this so help by clearing the airway with suctioning
- Have them in semi-fowler’s
What is our nursing care for someone with HE 4
- Assess LOC every 2 hours
- Prevent falls/injuries
- Avoid constipation (this can make the ammonia buildup worse)
- Assess for excessive diarrhea, fluid loss and electrolyte loss for pts taking lactulose
What is happening in acute pancreatitis
There’s acute inflammation of the pancreas and also spillage of pancreatic enzymes into the surrounding pancreatic tissue causing autodigestion and severe pain (remember pancreatic enzymes break things down, so you don’t want them out in the tissue breaking things down)
What are the causes of acute pancreatitis 8
- Gallbladder disease (gallstones) (gallstones can block pancreatic ducts)
- Chronic alcohol use
- Trauma
- Infections
- Drugs reactions
- Potop GI surgery
- Hypertriglyceridemia (high fat diet)
- Pancreatic cancer
What are the s/s of acute pancreatitis
Abdominal pain
- Sudden onset
- Left upper quadrant or mid-epigastric
- Radiates to back
- Deep, piercing, continuous, or steady
- Eating worsens pain
- Starts when recumbent
- Nausea/vomiting
- Pain not relieved with vomiting
Abdominal skin discoloration
- Grey Turner’s spots or sign (blue flank discoloration)
- Cullen’s sign (bluish discoloration around the belly button)
- Decreased or absent bowel sounds
- Abdominal tenderness with muscle guarding
- Dyspnea (hurts to take a deep breath - can cause atelectasis)
- Crackles in lungs
- Low-grade fever
- Hypotension, tachycardia = shock
What are 2 local complications of acute pancreatitis?
- Pseudocyst
- Pancreatic abscess
What is a pseudocyst? What are symptoms? How can we detect it? What are txs?
- Accumulation of fluid, pancreatic enzymes, tissue debris, and inflammatory exudates surrounded by a wall next to the pancreas
- S/S: abdominal pain, palpable epigastric mass, n/v, anorexia
- Can be detected with imaging
- Usually resolve spontaneously, but may perforate and cause peritonitis and need surgical tx
(body is trying to protect itself by walling off these enzymes and bad things - leading to a pseudocyst)
What is a pancreatic abscess? What are s/s?
- Infected pseudocyst that may rupture or perforate
- Abdominal pain, mass, high fever, leukocytosis
What are systemic complications of acute pancreatitis
Cardiovascular and pulmonary problems like:
- Pleural effusion
- Atelectasis
- Pneumonia
- ARDS
- Hypotension
- Thrombi, PE, DIC
- Hypocalcemia (tetany)
What lab values would we see for signs of acute pancreatitis
- Elevated amylase
- Elevated lipase
- Elevated glucose
- Elevated triglycerides
- Elevated bilirubin
- Decreased calcium
What are normal amylase and lipase labs
Amylase 30-110
Lipase 0-150
What type of diagnostic imaging might they do for acute pancreatitis
- Ultrasound
- X-ray
- Contrast enhanced CT
- Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (fyi - ERCP can cause acute pancreatitis too)
What are our goals of care for someone with acute pancreatitis 6
- Relief of pain
- Prevention or alleviation of shock
- Decreased pancreatic secretions
- Correction of fluid/electrolyte imbalances
- Prevention/treatment of infections
- Removal of precipitating cause
What 4 things can we do to help manage acute pancreatitis
- NPO with NG to suction (gut rest - want to stop the pancreas from working and releasing enzymes)
- Albumin (if in shock)
- IV calcium gluconate (if tetany present)
- LR
Why would we want to put a pt on NPO if they have acute pancreatitis
We want to help reduce or suppress pancreatic enzymes, which can allow the pancreas to rest
What 2 things can help prevent infection
- Enteral nutrition
- Antibiotics
Why might a pt get a PPI
To help decrease stomach acid, which can trigger the pancreas
What two things might we give to help control pain
- IV opioid analgesic
- Antispasmodic (decreases vagal stimulation, motility, and pancreatic outflow)
What surgical things might they do for acute pancreatitis
- If they have gallstones they might do an ERCP or laparoscopic cholecystectomy
- Might do surgery if they’re not sure of diagnosis
- If pts are not responding to conservative therapy
- To drain necrotic fluid
What is some nutritional care for someone with acute pancreatitis 6
- NPO status initially
- Will try enteral before parenteral
- Monitor triglycerides if IV lipids are given
- Small frequent feedings of high-carb foods (carbs seem to be the less stimulating for the pancreas)
- No alcohol
- Supplemental fat-soluble vitamins
What are the 2 signs of hypocalcemia
- Chvostek’s sign (contraction of the facial muscle w/light tap over the facial nerve)
- Positive trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm caused by inflating a blood pressure cuff)
What 2 positions may help decrease a pts pain with acute pancreatitis
- Flex the trunk and bring knees up to abdomen
- Go into a side-lying position with the HOB elevated at 45 degrees
Basically what types of infections are we really worried about with someone with acute pancreatitis
RESPIRATORY
- They may not be taking in deep breaths because of the pain (they’re not coughing and deep breathing)
- The inflammation and gunk from the acute pancreatitis may travel up towards the lung
- NG tube may introduce pathogens
Are crash diets good to do after acute pancreatitis
NO!
What pt/family teaching should you give to someone being discharged after having acute pancreatitis
- Monitor for signs of infection, diabetes, steatorrhea (foul-smelling fatty stools)
(these changes may indicate that the pancreas is still being destroyed by enzymes)
(hyperglycemia = excessive peeing, thirst and hunger)
What things might cause chronic pancreatitis 7
- Alcohol
- Gallstones
- Repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis
- Cystic fibrosis (clogging of the ducts)
- Autoimmune pancreatitis
- Tumor
- Systemic diseases like lupus
What are the two major types of chronic pancreatitis
- Chronic obstructive pancreatitis
- Chronic nonobstructive pancreatitis (most commonly caused by alcohol abuse)
What are the s/s of chronic pancreatitis
- Abdominal pain (same area as acute, it’s a heavy, gnawing feeling, can feel like burning and cramping, will be very frequent and almost constant)
- Malabsorption with weight loss
- Constipation
- Mild jaundice with dark urine
- Steatorrhea (fatty stools)
- Diabetes
What are complications of chronic pancreatitis
- Pseudocyst formation
- Bile duct or duodenal obstruction
- Pancreatic ascites
- Pleural effusion
- Splenic vein thrombosis
- Pseudoaneurysms
- Pancreatic cancer
What are some diagnostic studies to help determine if someone has chronic pancreatitis
(can be difficult to diagnosis)
- Amylase/lipase may or may not be elevated
- Bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase may be elevated
- Mild leukocytosis
- High sedimentation rate
- ERCP, CT, MRI, MRCP, ultrasound, EUS may be completed
- Stool samples are examined for fat
- Glucose intolerance/diabetes are assessed
What pt care and education might be do for someone with chronic pancreatitis
- Analgesics for pain relief
- Diet (small, frequent, low fat meals)
- No smoking, alcohol or caffeine
- Might need to replace pancreatic enzymes
- Bile salts
- Insulin may be needed
- Acid-neutralizing and acid-inhibiting drugs
- Antidepressants
Why don’t we want someone with acute or chronic pancreatitis to smoke
Smoking can accelerate the progression of chronic pancreatitis
What 3 enzymes are we trying to replace by giving pancreatic enzymes
- Amylase
- Lipase
- Trypsin
How do we know if pancreatic enzymes are not working when given as a supplement
Steatorrhea will occur if they are not working (fat in stools because the enzymes aren’t breaking down the fat in the body)
Why might we give bile salts
To help with fat-soluble vitamin absorption and prevent further fat loss
Why antidepressants
Can help reduce neuropathic pain
What’s the process when the kidneys sense a drop in BP (picture)
How do the kidneys take part in RBC production
They create erythropoietin, which triggers the bone marrow to make more RBCs
What in the kidneys is responsible for filtration
The glomerulus
What is the glomerular filtration rate? What is the normal rate?
The amount of blood filtered each minute by the glomeruli, normal is 125mL/min
What is a normal amount of urine output per day
1500mL
How much urine can the bladder hold
600-1000mL
What does oliguria mean
Less than 400mLs of urine/day
What is anuria
No urine output
What is uremia
High levels of urea in urine
What is azotemia
High levels of nitrogen in the urine
Comparison table of AKI and CKD
What, overall, can cause AKI
Some “big event” - remember sisterwives
In general, what diseases can contribute to kidney disfunction and why? Which two are most common? 7
- *Hypertension (squeezes off blood flow to the kidneys)
- *Diabetes (damages blood vessels leading to poor blood flow)
- Rhabdomyolysis (myoglobin gets lodged in the kidneys causing blockages and reduced blood flow)
- Immune disorders- lupus, scleroderma (antibodies can cause blockages)
- Peripheral vascular disease (lack of blood flow)
- Cardiovascular disease (not enough cardiac output to perfuse the kidneys adequately)
- Pregnancy (pre-eclampsia - high BP)
(hypertension and diabetes are the most common causes)
What sucks about AKI
Usually affects people with other life-threatening conditions and has a high mortality rate
What are the 3 different types of AKI
- Pre-renal
- Intrarenal
- Postrenal
What is happening in pre-renal injury
There is a reduced blood flow to the kidneys (so nothing is actually wrong with the kidneys, they’re just not getting any blood)