Jaundice & Alcohol-Related Liver Disease Flashcards
classification of jaundice in which more bilirubin is being produced than the liver can process
pre-hepatic (increased unconjugated bilirubin)
classification of jaundice where liver is not able to conjugate normal levels of bilirubin due to liver dysfunction
hepatic (increased unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin)
classification of jaundice in which the conjugated bilirubin is not able to be excreted from the body due to liver dysfunction or biliary disorder causing obstruction
post-hepatic (increased conjugated bilirubin)
what is a common cause of pre-hepatic dysfunction?
hemolytic anemia
what are 3 common causes of post-hepatic dysfunction?
hepatitis
biliary mass
biliary disease
what is the most common cause of direct hepatotoxicity?
acetaminophen
what is the most common cause of liver damage and disease in the US?
alcohol-related liver disease
what is the common symptom in alcohol-related liver disease?
loss of appetite
+/-
nausea
jaundice
what are 2 very late signs of alcohol-related liver disease?
abdominal fullness/distention
confusion
what lab abnormality would be seen in a patient with alcohol-related liver disease?
AST/ALT ratio > 2
what will a liver biopsy show in a patient with alcohol-related liver disease?
macrovesicular fat (fatty liver)
what is the treatment for mild-moderate alcohol-related liver disease? (2)
abstinence of alcohol
symptomatic care
what is the treatment for severe alcohol-related liver disease? (2)
abstinence of alcohol
corticosteroids (prednisolone)
what improves short-term outcomes by increasing tissue oxygenation in patients with severe alcohol-related liver disease?
pentoxifylline
what improves short term survival in patients with severe alcohol-related liver disease?
N-acetylcysteine
