Complications of Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis Assessment Findings
Treatment for Cirrhosis
Acute Pancreatitis
Chronic Pancreatitis
100

Results in thrombocytopenia and increased risk for bleeding; leukopenia increasing the risk for infection.

What is splenomegaly?

100

Obvious yellowing of the skin, sclera, and mucous membranes

What is jaundice? 

100

Medication prescribed to prevent cardiac and respiratory problems

What is a diuretic? 

100

The four major pathophysiologic processes of acute pancreatitis

What are lipolysis, proteolysis, necrosis of blood vessels, and inflammation?

9th pg 1197

10th pg 1183

100

Foul smelling fatty stools that may increase in volume as pancreatic insufficiency progresses

What is steatorrhea?

9th pg 1203 Chart 59-2

10th pg 1188 

200

Fragile, thin veins that become distended and tortuous due to portal hypertension.

What are varices- esophageal, gastric, and rectal?

200

Increased abdominal girth from the collection of free fluid in the peritoneal cavity (caused by increased hydrostatic pressure)

What is ascites?

200

A direct way to visualize and treat GI tract complications from hepatic failure

What is an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)?

200

Two common causes of acute pancreatitis

What are alcoholism and trauma from surgical manipulation of biliary tract?

Also gall stones and biliary/pancreatic obstruction

9th pg 1199

10th pg 1184 Table 54-4

200

Chronic pancreatitis has these normal to moderately elevated levels

What are amylase and lipase? 

9th pg 1202

10th pg 1188

300

Cognitive syndrome that stems from unfiltered or unbroken down toxins that lead to metabolic abnormalities

What is hepatic encephalopathy?

300

Warm and bright red palms of the hands 

What is palmar erythema? 
300

Medications that should be avoided in the cirrhosis patient.

What are fat soluble vitamins (ADEK), narcotics and sedatives?

300

The most rapid reliable imaging technique to diagnose acute pancreatitis and causative factors

What is contrast enhanced CT of the abdomen?

9th ed pg 1200

10th pg 1186

300

The cause of decreased pancreatic secretions and bicarbonate

What is the loss of pancreatic exocrine function?

9th pg 1202

10th pg 1188

400

A poor prognostic indicator of liver failure with the symptoms of sudden oliguria, elevated BUN and creatinine levels, and increased urine osmolarity

What is hepatorenal syndrome?

400

Vascular lesions with a red center and radiating branches on the nose, cheeks, upper thorax and shoulders

What are spider angiomas?

400

Medications given to reduce ammonia levels and prevent/treat hepatic encephalopathy

What is lactulose and nonabsorbable antibiotics? 

400

The two most important nursing plans for the acute pancreatitis patient

What are pain management and promotion of nutrition and hydration?

9th pg 1200

10th pg 1186

400

The standard of care to prevent malnutrition, malabsorption, and excessive weight loss 

What is pancreatic-enzyme replacement therapy (PERT)?

9th ed pg 1203

10th ed pg 1190

500

Bacterial infection, most often migrating from the bowel, that infects the ascitic fluid in cirrhotic patients

What is spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)?

500

A coarse tremor characterized by rapid, nonrhythmic extensions and flexions of the wrists and fingers

What is asterixis?

500

Medications that can treat active bleeding until the patient can receive a scope.

What are vasoactive drugs and proton pump inhibitors?

500

Labs to trend in the acute pancreatitis patient

What are amylase, lipase, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT),and WBCs? 

We EXPECT all these to be high at first but they should improve with treatment. 

500

Three education points for prevention of chronic pancreatitis exacerbation

What are avoid alcohol and nicotine; eat small meals and snacks in high calories; eat a low fat diet?

Chart 59-4 pg 1204 9th ed.

pg 1189 10th ed