Advanced GI: Hepatic & Pancreatic Disorders Flashcards
(364 cards)
What are the vascular functions of the liver?
blood storage and filtrations
What are the secretory functions of the liver?
bile productions and bilirubin metabolism
What are the metabolic functions of the liver?
digests carbs/ fat/ protein, synthesizes all clotting except for Von Willebrands, aids in synthesis of albumin, prothombin, and fibrogen, detoxification, vitamin and mineral storage (A, D, E, K, iron, copper)
Liver ________ in size with aging.
decreases
decreased synthesis of enzymes which help metabolize drugs
liver aging
- Ask ?s in nonjudgmental manner
- Always ask about family hx of liver disease
- Any hx of drug use (IV or intranasal?)
- Hx of tattoos?
- Been in military?
- In prison? County jail? Healthcare worker?
- Hx of Hepatitis?
- Ask about employment hx (exposure to toxins?)
- Sexual Hx?
Assessment Questions for Liver Function
growth of the breast tissue in men related to hormonal changes during liver disease
gynecomastia
7 F’s for Abdominal Distention
fat, fetus, fluid, flatulence, feces, fibroid, fatal tumor
skin abnormality in liver disease in which red, spider-like clusters appear on chest, back or umbilicus…they blanche
spider angiomas
What should the nurse inspect on a patient with liver disease?
skin color (everywhere, look for jaundice), surface characteristics, surface movements
What is shifting dullness?
When the patient lies on their side, the top of abdomen will have tympany (high-pitched sound) because of gas rising up and the bottom of abdomen will have dullness b/c fluid will shift down
What is a fluid wave?
When the patient’s side is tapped, the abdominal fluid will cause a wave across the abdomen.
Liver patients are at a high risk for _________.
bleeding
hernia surrounding the umbilicus in which the blood vessels pop out
caput medusa
vascular changes in the hand that cause the palms to be red
palmar erythema
What do ultrasounds of the liver check for?
patency of blood vessels in liver, gallstones, cysts, tumors & fat
What can CT scans pick up on the liver?
exact size of the liver, small lesions, look at bile ducts closely
What is an MRCP?
MRI of the pancreas and bile ducts
Is the MRCP or the ERCP more invasive?
the ERCP is more invasive
What does liver nuclear testing check?
cystic duct disease
AST Normal Level
10-35 units/L
In acute liver injury, AST is __________.
elevated
In chronic liver disease, AST is ________ or _________.
decreased or normal
ALT Normal Level
4-36 units/L