Pathophysiology
Name three risk factors associated with liver cirrhosis.
hepatitis, ETOH hx, male, >40 YO, obese, DMT2
In older people, hepatic encephalopathy may be more difficult for doctors to recognize because its initial symptoms may resemble which of the following?
A.Delirium
B.Mild forgetfulness
C.Stroke
D.Parkinson disease
A. delirium
T/F: A patient with liver cirrhosis should be instructed to eat high carbs and low protein.
True
What are the nursing interventions for hepatic encephalopathy?
D. all of the above
Which of the following is NOT a role of the liver?
A. Removing hormones from the body
B. Producing bile
C. Absorbing water
D. Producing albumin
C. Absorbing water
What is the grading system used for in hepatic encephalopathy?
A. Classify stages of HE
B. Understand the patient’s history
C. Classify the pain of the patient
D. Provide different levels of treatment
A. Classify stages of HE
T/F: It is okay for cirrhotic patients to drink alcohol once in a while.
False
T/F: Bleeding is important to monitor in patients with liver problems due to the liver's inability to produce clotting factors.
True.
During your morning assessment of a patient with cirrhosis, you note the patient is disoriented to person and place. In addition while assessing the upper extremities, the patient's hands demonstrate a flapping motion. What lab result would explain these abnormal assessment findings?
A. Decreased magnesium level
B. Increased calcium level
C. Increased ammonia level
D. Increased creatinine level
C. Increased ammonia level
What is the gold standard test for liver cirrhosis or liver failure?
liver biopsy
False
In people with a long-standing (chronic) liver disorder, encephalopathy is usually triggered by an event. Which of the following is such an event?
A.Being overweight
B.Being dehydrated
C.Being emotionally stressed
D.Being exhausted
B. Being dehydrated
What worsens hepatic encephalopathy?
A. Diarrhea
B. Vomiting
C. Constipation
D. Sleeping
C. constipation
A nurse is assessing a client who has advanced cirrhosis. the nurse should identify which of the following findings as indicators of hepatic encephalopathy?
A. anorexia
B. change in orientation
C. neutropenia
D. ascites
B. change in orientation
Hepatic encephalopathy is deterioration of brain function that occurs because toxic substances normally removed by the liver build up in the blood and reach the brain. Doctors recommend which of the following measures for people with hepatic encephalopathy?
A.Eating less meat
B.Avoiding acidic foods
C.Reducing sodium intake
D.Taking vitamin D
A. Eating less meat
The physician orders Lactulose 30 mL by mouth per day for a patient with cirrhosis. What findings below demonstrates the medication is working effectively?
A. Decrease albumin levels
B. Patient is jaundiced.
C. Patient is stuporous.
D. Decreased ammonia blood level
D. decreased ammonia blood level
Explain the pathophysiology of liver cirrhosis.
Extensive degeneration and destruction of liver cells, leading to the replacement of liver tissue by fibrosis (scar tissue) and regenerative nodules that occur from the livers attempt to repair itself.
Which symptom is not a common symptom of liver cirrhosis?
a) fatigue
b) bleeding
c) hyperkalemia
d) jaundice
c) hyperkalemia
acetaminophen
NSAIDs
A nurse is caring for a client who has cirrhosis. Which of the following medications can the nurse expect to administer to this client? (SATA)
A. diuretic
B. Beta-blocking agent
C. opioid analgesic
D. lactulose
E. sedative
A, B, D