Week 5; Acute Care GI Flashcards
Normal fxn of liver
Filtration of blood from stomach, spleen, pancreas, intestine, manufactures & secretes bile, manufacture of fibrinogen, prothrombin, heparin, vitamin A, immunoglobulins, storage of vitamins, metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, drugs, alcohol, and hormones, aids in destruction of aging RBC, and regulation of blood volume by storing up to 400ml of blood.
Cirrhosis
Characterized by widespread fibrotic (scarred) bands of connective tissue. This changes the liver’s normal makeup and its associated cellular regulation. Livers become nodular; blood and lymph flow are impaired. Inflammation destroys hepatocytes.
Compensated cirrhosis
the liver is scarred and cellular regulation is impaired, but able to perform essential functions
Decompensated cirrhosis
liver function is impaired and S/S of liver failure
Common causes of cirrhosis
Alcoholic liver disease, hepatitis, steatohepatitis (from fatty liver), drugs and chemical toxins, gallbladder disease, metabolic/genetic causes, and cardiovascular disease
Postnecrotic cirrhosis etiology
Hepatitis C—second leading cause in the United States, Hepatitis B and D—most common cause worldwide
NAFLD-non alcoholic fatty liver disease
Alcoholic cirrhosis etiology
Alcohol use—excessive and prolonged
Biliary cirrhosis etiology
Chronic biliary obstruction and infection.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Associated with diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Can progress to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or liver failure. THE PNPLA3 gene identifies as a risk gene for the disease, hispanics have this gene more often than other ethnic groups. Most common cause of liver disease in the world.
What is the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver failure in the US?
Hep C
Assessing for liver disease
Assess for exposure to alcohol and drugs, herbs, chemicals, needlestick injury, tattoo placement, imprisonment, or employment as a healthcare worker, firefighter, or police officer. Assess sexual history and orientation. Inquire about family history. Collect previous medical history.
Liver disease s/s
Fatigue, significant changes in weight, GI symptoms-anorexia and vomiting, alterations in abdominal area and liver tenderness, obvious yellowing of skin (jaundice) and sclerae, increased abdominal girth - ascites, dry skin, rashes, petechiae or ecchymosis, warm, bright red palms (palmar erythema), increased bleeding tendencies, dark urine, clay-colored stools, edema in extremities.
Jaundice -
characterized by excessive circulating bilirubin levels. Liver cells cannot effectively secrete bilirubin and the skin and mucous membranes become characterized by a yellow discoloration,
First sign of hepatic encephalopathy –
subtle changes in personality
DX of liver disease
Laboratory assessment,
AST, ALT, LDH- elevated
Alkaline phosphatase-elevated
Serum protein-elevated, albumin-decreased
Serum total bilirubin-elevated
PT/INR prolonged liver because of decreased prothrombin.
Imaging assessment
Abdominal x-rays
CT, MRI
MR elastography
Other diagnostic assessment
Liver US, arteriography, EGD, ERCP
Complications of cirrhosis
Bleeding, hypovolemia, edema, decreased albumin production in liver, massive ascites – renal vasoconstriction and sodium and water retention, coagulation defects, jaundice, splenomegaly, hepatorenal syndrome
Hepatorenal syndrome
Prognosis for patient with liver failure poor; sudden decrease in urine output <500 mL/24hr, elevated BUN and creatinine levels. Often occurs after clinical deterioration from GI bleeding or onset of hepatic encephalopathy
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
Those at risk have advanced liver disease.
Bacteria responsible typically from bowel and reach the ascitic fluid after migrating through bowel wall and transversing the lymphatics
Symptoms vary but fever, chills, pain and tenderness common. Can have worsening encephalopathy and increased jaundice without abdominal symptoms
Portal hypertension
Major complication of cirrhosis. Persistent increase in pressure within the portal vein caused from resistance or obstruction of blood flow. Blood looks for alternative venous channels around the blockage. Blood backs up into the spleen, esophagus, stomach, intestines, abdomen and rectum.
Varices
Thin vein walls distend from increased pressure.
Esophageal most common, hemorrhoids are another common area. Hypovolemic shock can occur.
Esophageal varices
Are fragile and thin walled esophageal veins that become distended and tortuous from increased pressure. S/s include hematemesis and melena (black tarry stools)
Bleeding esophageal varices
Life-threatening medical emergency resulting in hypovolemic shock
Managing hemorrhage d/t esophageal varices
Endoscopic variceal ligation (banding)
Emergency rescue- esophagogastric balloon tamponade. Can cause life threatening complications such as aspiration, asphyxia and esophageal perforation. Patient usually intubated on mechanical ventilator to protect airway; only used if the patient can not have an endoscopy or TIPS procedure
Hypovolemic shock review
Abnormally decreased volume of circulating fluid causing peripheral circulatory failure that endangers vital organs. The brain, heart, kidneys are particularly vulnerable. Tachycardia is an early sign of compensation for excessive blood loss. Tachycardia, tachypnea, BP normal initially, decrease or narrowing in pulse pressure (difference between systolic and diastolic), elevated BP can occur initially until compensatory mechanisms fail. Acidosis with vasodilation and decreased BP, increased bleeding, decreased circulating volume, and subsequent organ death.
Preventing or managing hemorrhage: pharmacological
Beta blocker, usually propranolol- decreases heart rate and hepatic venous pressure, resulting in decreased bleeding.
Vasoactive drug, usually vasopressin and octreotide-reduces blood flow resulting in decrease portal pressure.
Octreotide- suppresses secretion of gastrin, serotonin and intestinal peptides resulting in decrease blood flow and pressure in the varices. NG, platelets, fresh frozen plasma, albumin
Hepatic encephalopathy
AKA Portal-systemic encephalopathy
Complex cognitive syndrome from liver failure and cirrhosis. 4 stages and s/s progressively worsen
Factors leading to PSE
High-protein diet, infection, hypovolemia, hypokalemia, constipation, GI bleed, drugs
Hepatic encephalopathy signs and symptoms
Personality changes, behavior changes (agitation, belligerence), emotional lability (euphoria, depression), inability to concentrate, fatigue, drowsiness, slurred or slowed speech, sleep pattern disturbances, asterixis (hand flapping)
Last stage – the patient comatose and may experience seizures
Preventing or managing hepatic encephalopathy
Drugs are used sparingly- opioid analgesics, sedatives, and barbiturates (especially with encephalopathy)
Lactulose by mouth or NG to eliminate or reduce ammonia through the stool.
Need to watch potassium levels dehydration from excessive stools.
Neomycin or rifaximin(broad spectrum antibiotics) act as a intestinal antiseptic- decrease ammonia levels.
Assess for asterixis (coarse tremors) and fetor hepaticus (liver breath)- signs of worsening encephalopathy.
Ascites-
Collection of free fluid in the peritoneal cavity
Caused by portal HTN. Serum colloid osmotic pressure decreased in the circulatory system. A fluid shift from vascular to abdomen
Managing fluid volume
Monitor fluid/electrolyte balance, abdominal girth measurement, diuretic use, low sodium diet, paracentesis for severe ascites, transjugular intrahepatic portal-systemic shunt (TIP)
Paracentesis
A catheter or drain is inserted into the abdomen to drain fluid.
Procedure:
Obtain pre-procedure vital signs and wt
Ask patient to void before procedure
Position patient on bed with head elevated
Monitor vital signs per protocol
Measure drainage
Describe drainage
Label and send specimen to lab for analysis
Place a dressing at site after physician removes catheter
Maintain bedrest per protocol
Weigh patient after procedure
Cirrhosis nutritional support
Early stages- high protein & carbohydrates
Advanced stages- fiber, protein, fat and sodium restrictions.
Small, frequent feedings
Hep A transmission
fecal-oral
Hepatitis B transmission
Blood and body fluids, IV drug abuse, sexual contact maternal-fetal route, complications- cirrhosis and liver cancer
Hepatitis C transmission and complication
Contact with blood and body fluids
IV drug users
Contaminated blood transfusions
Complications- cirrhosis and liver cancer
Hepatitis D or Delta hepatitis transmission
Contact with Hep B, parenteral transmission, hepatitis E , oral-fecal, contaminated water, under-developed countries. Resembles Hep A
Hepatitis incidence
HAV and HBV are declining due to vaccination.
HCV most common—no vaccine, Higher incidence of cancer
Hepatitis health promotion and management
Vaccines for HAV and HBV
HAV-specific recommendations
Proper handwashing (especially after handling shellfish)
Avoid contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis assessment
Ask about exposure to someone with hepatitis. Ask about chemical exposure. Inquire about alcohol, drug, herbal use. Inquire about travel, sexual activities, needlestick exposure, drug (IV) use, military service. Assess for family history of liver disease.
Physical assessment/signs and symptoms of hepatitis
Abdominal pain, changes in skin or sclera (icterus), arthralgia (joint pain) or myalgia (muscle pain), diarrhea/constipation, changes in color of urine or stool, fever, lethargy, malaise, nausea/vomiting, pruritus (itching), weight loss due to complications associated with inflammation of the liver, fatigue due to decreased metabolic energy production, potential for infection related to state of immunocompromise
Dx of hepatitis
Liver enzymes, blood tests specific to hepatitis type- antibodies, liver biopsy
Care for hepatitis
HBV medications, post-exposure: Interferon
Low fat, high calorie, carbohydrates, and proteins
Addressing fatigue
Balance rest and activity periods
Reducing the potential for infection
HAV- enteric precautions
HBV, HCV- blood and body fluid precautions
Education regarding infection control is important.
Cannot give blood donation
Techniques to prevent spread
Fatty Liver – steatosis
Caused by accumulation of fats in and around hepatic cells caused by alcohol use or other factors.
Types of fatty liver disease:
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Causes of fatty liver
diabetes, obesity, elevated lipids, genetics
Fatty liver disease interventions:
Teaching, weight loss, glucose control, lipid lowering agents, monitoring LFT
Fatty liver disease dx
Many patients are asymptomatic. Typical findings are elevated liver enzymes, elevated ALT or AST, MRI and ultrasound indicated or liver biopsy
A 59-year-old patient with a history of alcohol abuse spanning 15 years has been diagnosed with cirrhosis. The patient will be undergoing abdominal paracentesis today. Which assessment finding alerts the nurse that the paracentesis has been successful?
a. Decrease in post-procedure weight
b. No residual obtained during procedure
c. Substantial decrease in blood pressure
d. Immediate sensation of a need to urinate
Answer A
Weight should decrease as fluid is drained from the abdominal cavity.
A substantial decrease in blood pressure can indicate shock. Residual should be obtained during the procedure. The patient should not feel a sensation or need to urinate, because a primary safety measure is to have the patient void right before the procedure to avoid injury to the bladder during the procedure.