Hepatitis Flashcards
Hep A/E Route of Transmission
Fecal-Oral
- Contaminated food or water, especially shellfish
- Contact with infected stool
- Nursing homes, jails
- Different countries
Hep B/C Route of Transmission
Blood, Prenatal fluid, Semen
- Unprotected sex w/ infected person
- Infants born to infected mothers
- Contact with infected blood
- Substance use disorder
Big concern with Hepatitis
They can be asymptotic for a long time so they can spread it without knowing
When a Hepatitis patient starts having symptoms what are they?
- Right upper quadrant pain (around ribs)
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Decreased appetite with nausea
Acute phase physical assessment symptoms
- Dark colored urine (tea colored)
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Pruritus
- Jaundice
What labs will be elevated with Hepatitis?
AST & ALT
Hepatitis Recovery
Acute Hep A should resolve
HBV & HCV can result in chronic Hepatitis
Manifestations of Acute Liver Failure from Hepatitis
- Encephalopathy (Altered LOC)
- GI Bleeding
- DIC: lack of clotting factors have been used up
Hepatic Encephalopathy
Life threatening complication of liver failure
- Liver cannot remove toxins
- Ammonia levels rise and effect brain
- Stupor, Asterixis (hand flapping), Fruity musty breath odor, seizures, coma
- Huge fall risk*
Acute & Chronic Care
- Adequate nutrition (well balance diet, vitamin supplements) small frequent meals
- Rest when tired, and use energy when have it
- Avoid alcohol intake and drugs detoxified by liver
* watch pain meds carefully i.e. NSAIDS*
What is the only type of Hepatitis that can be treated with medications?
HCV
Nutritional Therapy for Hepatitis
- Well balanced diet
- Reduce fat content
- Adequate calories during acute phase
- Vitamin B & K
- IV Glucose or enteral nutrition
Hepatitis B Health Promotion (SATA)
- Series of 3 IM injections
2. Postexposure prophylaxis: Vaccine & Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG)
