Test 3 Flashcards
Liver, Gall Bladder, Pancreas, Renal, Neuro, Renal Peds, Neuro Peds
Functions of the liver (8)
- Glucose metabolism (gluconeogenesis)
- Ammonia conversion (excreted in urine)
- Protein metabolism
- Fat metabolism
- Vitamin and Iron storage
- Bile formation (bile salts from cholesterol help increase fat digestion)
- Bilirubin excretion (increased levels in blood indicate liver disease)
- Drug metabolism**
Organ that is important in the regulation of glucose and protein metabolism, and secretes bile
The liver
Caused by exposure to hepatotoxic chemicals, meds, and botanical agents
Toxic Hepatitis
Signs and Symptoms of Toxic Hepatitis
Anorexia
Nausea/vomiting
Jaundice
Hepatomegaly
This hepatitis has no effective antidote and has rapid recovery if toxin is removed early
Toxic Hepatitis
Most common cause of acute liver failure
Drug-induced Hepatitis
True hepatotoxins (4)
- Carbon tetrachloride
- Phosphorus
- Chloroform
- Gold compounds
Drug-induced hepatitis clinical manifestations
Chills, fever Rash, pruritis Arthralgia Anorexia, vomiting Jaundice, dark urine, enlarged liver (late stages)
Sudden and severely impaired liver function in a previously healthy person
Fulminant Hepatic Failure
Most common cause of fulminant hepatic failure
Viral hepatitis
Can also be cause by: toxic meds, chemical exposure, metabolic disturbances
Replacement of normal liver tissue with diffuse fibrosis
Cirrhosis
Clinical manifestations of hepatitis
Fever Fatigue Anorexia/loss of appetite Nausea, vomiting Abdominal pain Gray-colored stools Joint pain Jaundice
Types of cirrhosis (3)
- Alcoholic - most common (scar tissue around portal areas)
- Post-necrotic - acute viral hepatitis (broad bands of scar tissue)
- Biliary - chronic biliary obstruction and infection (scar tissue around biliary ducts)
Cirrhosis nursing care
Promote rest Improve nutrition Provide skin care Decrease injury risk Monitor for complications (bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, fluid excess)
Hepatic cirrhosis is diagnosed by…
Liver biopsy
Symptoms of hepatic dysfunction
Jaundice Ascites Esophageal varices Hepatic encephalopathy and coma Edema and bleeding Vitamin deficiency Metabolic disorders Pruritis/skin changes Liver abscess
Caused by an elevated bilirubin blood level
Jaundice (greater than 2.5)
Movement of fluid into the peritoneal cavity
Ascites
Contributing factors to Ascites (3)
Portal hypertension
Increased capillary pressure
Obstruction of venous blood through liver
Commonly manifested by increased abdominal girth and weight gain
Ascites
Assessment of ascites
Percussion differences, daily weight and abdominal girth measurements
Management of ascites
Decreased fluid intake Diuretics (aldactone) Decreased sodium diet Paracentesis Bed rest Electrolyte monitoring
Development of dilated tortuous veins in the esophagus
Esophageal varices
Manifested by coughing, throat discomfort, and spitting up blood
Bleeding esophageal varices (can result in hemorrhagic shock)
Esophageal varices assessment and management
Assessed using endoscopy
Nursing management: support and bleeding prevention
Life threatening complication that can be reversible with recovery of liver function
Hepatic encephalopathy and coma
Major contributing factor of hepatic encephalopathy
Ammonia
Clinical manifestations of hepatic encephalopathy
Mental changes Motor disturbances Asterixis (hand tremors) Constructional apraxia (inability to replicate shapes) Fetor hepaticus (fecal breath)
Hepatic encephalopathy assessment and management
Assessed by EEG monitoring
Managed by lactulose (decrease ammonia levels), monitoring of respiratory and mental status
Most common type of primary liver tumor
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
Manifested by weight loss, anemia, weakness, and pain
Liver metastases
DNA virus transmitted through blood
Hepatitis B (1-6 month incubation)
This is the most definitive diagnosis of liver cancer
Liver biopsy
Hepatitis B prevention
Screening blood
Good hygiene
PPE
Active/passive immunity (vaccinations)
Bloodborne transmission that has no vaccine and can result in a chronic carrier state
Hepatitis C (15-160 day incubation)
Requires Hepatitis B surface antigens for replication
Hepatitis D (30-150 day incubation)
Transmitted via a fecal-oral route, most commonly through contaminated water
Hepatitis E (15-65 day incubation) - self limiting
Cryptogenic virus that is commonly received via blood transfusions
Hepatitis G, GB virus C
Hollow, sac like organ that lies on the inferior surface of the liver
Gallbladder
When the flow of bile in the gallbladder is obstructed it causes… (Clinical manifestation)
darkened urine and clay colored stool
Signs/Symptoms of Cholecystitis
Fever and leukocytosis (inflammation) Nausea and vomiting Pain in the upper right quadrant Anorexia/Loss of appetite Abdominal distension and feeling of fullness
Acute inflammation of the gallbladder
Cholecystitis
Caused by an obstruction created by a gallbladder stone
Calculous Cholecystitis (most common)
Acute gallbladder inflammation without an obstruction
Acalulous Cholecystitis (can occur after surgery or trauma - bile stasis and increased viscosity)
Another name for calculi or gallstones
Cholelithiasis
This type of stone cannot be dissolved and doesn’t react to lithrotripsy
Pigment stone
This type of stone can be dissolved and is more common
Cholesterol stone
Risk factors of pigment stones
Liver cirrhosis
Hemolysis
Biliary tract infection
Signs/Symptoms of a gallstone
Pain - upper right quadrant
Biliary colic - associated with N/V; noticeable after heavy meal
Jaundice
Pruritis - Due to bile salts on the skin
Urine and stool changes - Darkened urine; clay colored stool
Vitamin deficiency - Can lead to bleed deficiencies (decreased Vitamin K levels)
Most common diagnostic test for gallstone diagnosis
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatoaphy (ERCP)
Nursing Care of cholelithiasis
Relief of pain Maintaining respiratory status Skin integrity Nutritional status (low fat diet) Monitoring for potential complications
Functions of the Pancreas
Exocrine - Secretion of amylase, tripsin, lipase, secretin
Endocrine - Secretion of insulin, glucagon, somatostin; control of carbohydrate metabolism
Biliary tract disease or a history of alcoholism are risk factors for…
Acute pancreatitis
Caused by the self digestion of the pancreas by trypsin
Acute pancreatitis
Signs/Symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis
Acute onset of severe mid-epigastric pain (will cause patient to seek treatment) Abdominal distention Decreased peristalsis Vomiting (gastric/bile) Fever Jaundice Confusion
Abnormal lab values in acute pancreatitis can include…
Increased levels of serum amylase and lipase
Increased WBC
Hypocalcemia
Transient hyperglycemia/bilirubin levels
Nursing Management of acute pancreatitis/chronic pancreatitis
Pain relief Pulmonary assessment Nutritional assessment Skin assessment Monitoring for potential complications (ascites, hypovolemia, shock, renal failure)
An inflammatory process that is identified with progressive pancreas destruction
Chronic pancreatitis
Signs/Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis
Severe upper abdominal/back pain Vomiting, weight loss Malabsorption, impaired protein and fat digestion Steatorrhea Calcium stones in bile duct
This test is the most valuable in providing information regarding chronic pancreatitis
ERCP
Walled off fibrous tissue cysts resulting from necrosis with acute pancreatitis
Pancreatic Pseudocyst
Pain, jaundice, and weight loss are the classic signs of…
Pancreatic Cancer
Signs of insulin deficiency
Glucosuria
Hyperglycemia
Abnormal glucose tolerance test
Nursing management of Pancreatic Cancer
Pain management
Nutritional management
Palliative care
Tumors at the head of the pancreas signs/symptoms
Jaundice, clay-colored stool, dark urine
Malabsorption of nutrients/vitamins
Abdominal discomfort, pain
Anorexia, weight loss, malaise
Types of Pancreatic Islet Tumors (2)
Insulinoma
Nonfunctioning islet cell cancer (doesn’t affect insulin secretion)
This tumor causes the hypersecretion of insulin
Insulinoma
Nursing management of this type of tumor involves monitoring for hypoglycemia
Insulinoma
Normal GFR
85-105 ml/min
less than 65 = abnormal kidney function
Reversible clinical syndrome with a sudden and almost complete loss of kidney function
Acute Renal Failure
Most common causes of ARF (2)
Ischemia (hypotension, hypovolemia, hypoperfusion)
Nephrotoxins (medications, contrast dyes, endotoxins)
Categories of ARF (3)
- Prerenal
- Intra-renal
- Post-renal
Results from impaired blood flow that leads to hypoperfusion of the kidneys (ARF category)
Prerenal (fix blood flow = fix kidney damage)
Results from actual parenchymal damage to the glomeruli (ARF category)
Intra-renal
Results from an obstruction somewhere distal to the kidney (ARF category)
Post-renal
Can cause an abrupt and progressive decline of renal function
Acute Tubular Necrosis (most common cause of ARF)
Phases of ARF (4)
- Initiation (exposure to kidney damage)
- Oliguria (Decreased output, increased BUN/Creatinine)
- Diuresis (Improvement in kidney function)
- Recovery (Normal kidney function)
Treatment for the Diuresis phase of ARF
HDTV (Hyperkalemia, Dilation of renal arteries, Total volume, Volume control)
Best form of prevention of ARF in high risk patients
Hydration
Major problems associated with ARF (3)
Fluid volume excess
Pulmonary edema
Electrolyte imbalances
Most life-threatening complication of ARF is
Hyperkalemia (Oliguric phase of ARF)
Renal diet for a patient with ARF
Low sodium/potassium, Low protein, Fluid restrictions
Nursing management of ARF
Monitor for fluid and electrolyte imbalances
Reduce metabolic rate (cluster care)
Promote pulmonary function (TCDB, Incentive spirometry)
Prevent infection
Promote skin integrity
Provide support
Progressive irreversible deterioration in renal function
Chronic Renal Failure
Stages of Chronic Renal Failure (4)
- Reduced renal reserve
- Renal insufficiency
- Renal Failure
- End Stage Renal Failure
CRF Clinical Manifestations
Confusion, altered mental status Hypertension, edema, Hyperkalemia** Crackles, Kussmaul's Breathing** Anemia (decreased erythropoiten)** Anorexia, Nausea, Ammonia odor (uremic fetor)** Purpura**, Pruiritis, Ecchymosis