Transmission and causes
Transmission of Hepatitis A
What is fecal-oral route?
This yellow discoloration of the skin and sclera is caused by increased bilirubin
What is jaundice?
Hepatitis A can be prevented after exposure by providing passive immunity with this preparation.
What is immune globulin?
The nurse teaches a patient with hepatitis A to use this measure to prevent spreading the virus to others.
What is frequent handwashing?
This hepatitis virus, is primarily transmitted by the fecal–oral route, but infection can cause severe, life-threatening liver failure in pregnant patients
What is Hepatitis E?
This urine finding commonly occurs when conjugated bilirubin enters the urine.
What is dark urine?
Good handwashing and safe food and water practices help prevent these two types of hepatitis.
What are Hepatitis A and E
The nurse teaches a patient with hepatitis B to avoid sharing these personal items that could contain blood.
What are razors and toothbrushes?
A patient with chronic hepatitis is at increased risk for these two major long-term complications caused by progressive liver damage.
What are cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer)
This stool finding may occur when bile cannot reach the intestine.
What are clay-colored stools?
Using standard precautions and avoiding contact with infected blood help prevent transmission of these two types.
What are hepatitis B and C?
A patient with hepatitis develops severe nausea and poor oral intake. The nurse should monitor closely for this complication.
What is dehydration?
Taking more than this maximum recommended total amount in 24 hours from all acetaminophen-containing medications increases the risk of serious liver injury in an adult.
What is4,000 mg (4g) in 24 hours?
These nonspecific symptoms may occur early in hepatitis and can resemble the flu.
What are fatigue, nausea, anorexia, and fever?
This medication is the antidote for acetaminophen toxicity and helps prevent severe liver injury.
What is N-acetylcysteine (NAC)?
Before administering a medication to a patient with liver disease, the nurse should carefully review the medication because the liver is responsible for this process.
What is drug metabolism?
Liver fails to regenerate resulting in liver tissue becoming necrotic and is severe, acute and often fatal
What is Fulminant Hepatitis?
A patient with hepatitis develops confusion, asterixis, and decreased level of consciousness. The nurse should suspect this complication.
What is hepatic encephalopathy?
A newborn whose mother is positive for hepatitis B should receive these two interventions to prevent infection.
What are hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG)?
The nurse teaches that this hepatitis virus is primarily spread through blood exposure and currently has no vaccine for prevention.
What is Hepatitis C?