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Questions and Answers
Which of the following should be avoided in patients with liver problems?
Which of the following should be avoided in patients with liver problems?
What characterizes an emergency situation in liver patients related to abdomen assessment?
What characterizes an emergency situation in liver patients related to abdomen assessment?
Which of the following is a common assessment technique in liver patients?
Which of the following is a common assessment technique in liver patients?
What should be monitored closely considering the risk factors in liver patients?
What should be monitored closely considering the risk factors in liver patients?
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What is an appropriate room assignment for a patient with liver problems?
What is an appropriate room assignment for a patient with liver problems?
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What is the primary effect of cirrhosis on liver tissue?
What is the primary effect of cirrhosis on liver tissue?
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Which of the following symptoms may occur during the early stage of cirrhosis?
Which of the following symptoms may occur during the early stage of cirrhosis?
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What is one of the major complications associated with cirrhosis?
What is one of the major complications associated with cirrhosis?
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What causes the development of esophageal varices in cirrhosis patients?
What causes the development of esophageal varices in cirrhosis patients?
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Which of the following is a metabolic consequence of cirrhosis?
Which of the following is a metabolic consequence of cirrhosis?
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What symptom is associated with impaired plasma protein synthesis in cirrhosis?
What symptom is associated with impaired plasma protein synthesis in cirrhosis?
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Which of the following factors contributes to the increased risk of bleeding in cirrhosis patients?
Which of the following factors contributes to the increased risk of bleeding in cirrhosis patients?
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How does cirrhosis impact hormone metabolism?
How does cirrhosis impact hormone metabolism?
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What is the primary purpose of administering K (Aquamephyton) in patients with cirrhosis?
What is the primary purpose of administering K (Aquamephyton) in patients with cirrhosis?
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Which medication is specifically indicated to improve liver function in patients with cirrhosis?
Which medication is specifically indicated to improve liver function in patients with cirrhosis?
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What is a significant indication for considering liver transplantation?
What is a significant indication for considering liver transplantation?
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Which nursing diagnosis addresses the risk for injury in patients with cirrhosis?
Which nursing diagnosis addresses the risk for injury in patients with cirrhosis?
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In managing a patient with cirrhosis, what type of dietary intake is recommended?
In managing a patient with cirrhosis, what type of dietary intake is recommended?
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What is a key nursing intervention to prevent injury through bleeding?
What is a key nursing intervention to prevent injury through bleeding?
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Which symptom may indicate gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in a patient with cirrhosis?
Which symptom may indicate gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in a patient with cirrhosis?
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What nursing action should be taken to promote activity tolerance in patients with cirrhosis?
What nursing action should be taken to promote activity tolerance in patients with cirrhosis?
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What is the primary characteristic of cirrhosis?
What is the primary characteristic of cirrhosis?
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Which type of cirrhosis is primarily caused by long-term high-risk alcohol consumption?
Which type of cirrhosis is primarily caused by long-term high-risk alcohol consumption?
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What is a common symptom seen in the early stages of biliary cirrhosis?
What is a common symptom seen in the early stages of biliary cirrhosis?
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What is a defining feature of post-hepatic cirrhosis?
What is a defining feature of post-hepatic cirrhosis?
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Which stage of Laennec's cirrhosis is characterized by alcoholic hepatitis?
Which stage of Laennec's cirrhosis is characterized by alcoholic hepatitis?
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Which condition can lead to cardiac cirrhosis?
Which condition can lead to cardiac cirrhosis?
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What should be closely monitored in a client to prevent dehydration and hypokalemia?
What should be closely monitored in a client to prevent dehydration and hypokalemia?
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What metabolic change does alcohol cause in the liver during the first stage of Laennec's cirrhosis?
What metabolic change does alcohol cause in the liver during the first stage of Laennec's cirrhosis?
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Which position is recommended for clients experiencing impaired gas exchange related to ascites?
Which position is recommended for clients experiencing impaired gas exchange related to ascites?
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Which of the following indicates the end stage of alcoholic cirrhosis?
Which of the following indicates the end stage of alcoholic cirrhosis?
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Which intervention should be avoided to prevent rectal manipulation in client care?
Which intervention should be avoided to prevent rectal manipulation in client care?
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What is an appropriate nursing intervention for promoting skin integrity?
What is an appropriate nursing intervention for promoting skin integrity?
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What should be assessed to maintain adequate tissue perfusion in clients with bleeding esophageal varices?
What should be assessed to maintain adequate tissue perfusion in clients with bleeding esophageal varices?
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What dietary restriction is recommended if serum ammonia levels are elevated?
What dietary restriction is recommended if serum ammonia levels are elevated?
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Which of the following interventions promotes improved thought processes in clients?
Which of the following interventions promotes improved thought processes in clients?
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In clients receiving vasopressin infusion, which complication should be monitored?
In clients receiving vasopressin infusion, which complication should be monitored?
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Study Notes
Cirrhosis
- Chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver cells with scar tissue, leading to impaired liver function.
- Classified into four types:
- Laennec's/Alcoholic/Portal Cirrhosis: Most common type, often associated with long-term heavy alcohol consumption.
- Biliary Cirrhosis: Caused by bile duct obstruction, leading to bile accumulation and liver damage.
- Post-Hepatic Cirrhosis: Advanced form of chronic hepatitis B or C, or unknown causes, characterized by shrunken & nodular liver.
- Cardiac Cirrhosis: Results from chronic heart failure, leading to liver congestion and cell death.
Laennec's Cirrhosis Stages
- Progresses through three stages:
- Stage 1: Fatty liver characterized by fat accumulation in liver cells. Reversible with alcohol abstinence.
- Stage 2: Alcoholic hepatitis, involving inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis.
- Stage 3: End stage, fibrosis replaces normal tissue, leading to severe liver dysfunction.
Pathophysiology of Cirrhosis
- Liver tissue replaced by fibrotic scar tissue.
- Abnormal nodules form, restricting blood, lymph, and bile flow.
Clinical Manifestations of Cirrhosis
- Often develop gradually over years.
- Early: Enlarged liver, vague symptoms like pain in upper right abdomen, fever, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and fatigue.
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Later:
- Edema & ascites: Caused by low albumin, fluid retention, and increased portal pressure.
- Bleeding & bruising: Due to decreased clotting factors, increased platelet destruction, and impaired vitamin K absorption.
- Esophageal varices & hemorrhoids: Caused by increased portal pressure, leading to dilated veins.
- Gastritis, anorexia, diarrhea: Caused by congested veins in gastrointestinal tract and impaired bile production.
- Abdominal wall vein distention (caput medusae): Result of portal hypertension.
- Jaundice: Due to impaired bilirubin metabolism.
- Malnutrition, muscle wasting: Caused by impaired nutrient & fat absorption, and hormone metabolism.
- Anemia, leukopenia, increased risk of infection: Due to bleeding and blood cell destruction.
- Asterixis, encephalopathy: Caused by accumulated toxins and impaired ammonia metabolism.
- Gynecomastia, infertility, impotence: Result of altered sex hormone metabolism.
Major Complications of Cirrhosis
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Portal hypertension: Increased pressure in portal vein due to impaired blood flow. Leading to:
- Bleeding esophageal varices - life-threatening due to rupture of veins.
- Hemorrhoids & caput medusae.
- Peripheral edema and ascites.
Management of Cirrhosis
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Nursing Diagnosis:
- Activity intolerance.
- Altered nutrition: less than body requirement.
- Risk for injury (bleeding).
- Disturbed thought processes.
- Risk for impaired skin integrity.
- Risk for fluid volume excess.
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Nursing Interventions:
- Promote activity tolerance by encouraging rest and gradual exercise.
- Improve nutritional status with high-calorie, moderate protein diet, small frequent meals, and antiemetics.
- Prevent bleeding by monitoring stools, observing for symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding, administering vitamin K, and teaching client to avoid trauma.
- Promote improved thought processes by restricting high-protein diet, monitoring ammonia levels, and protecting from infection.
- Manage fluid volume excess by measuring weight and abdominal girth, restricting fluids, and providing a low sodium diet.
- Promote gas exchange by positioning the client in semi-Fowler's with feet elevated, administering oxygen, and monitoring oxygen saturation.
- Promote skin integrity by using warm water, preventing dry skin, applying mittens, and turning frequently.
- Manage bleeding esophageal varices by assessing vital signs, monitoring for hypovolemia, observing for straining, gagging or vomiting, monitoring gastrointestinal secretions, administering blood products and vitamin K.
Additional Notes
- Diet: Low-protein diet for patients with liver problems.
- Alcohol: Beer is less harmful than whiskey.
- Assessment: Observe sclera, tongue, skin, and abdominal distention.
- Bleeding: Any GI bleeding is an emergency.
- Hepatic encephalopathy: Can increase ICP and lead to impaired consciousness.
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Room assignments:
- Avoid placing liver patients with patients who have pneumonia, TB, or active infections.
- Fall risk: Patients with hepatic encephalopathy are at high risk for falls.
- Medication: Avoid acetaminophen in liver patients.
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Description
This quiz covers the basics of cirrhosis, including its definition, four types, and the stages specific to Laennec's cirrhosis. Understand the causes, progression, and implications of this chronic liver disease. Test your knowledge on liver health and disease management.