Hepatic Disorders NURS 321

Vocabulary flashcards covering the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management of hepatic disorders including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver caused by viruses, drugs, alcohol, chemicals, or autoimmune diseases.

Acute Viral Hepatitis

Liver damage or inflammation lasting $6$ months or less, often resulting from lysis of hepatocytes by cytotoxic cytokines and natural killer cells.

Chronic Viral Hepatitis

Liver damage or inflammation lasting more than $6$ months, characterized by persistent tissue necrosis and the development of fibrosis.

Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)

An acute-only virus transmitted via the fecal-oral route, often associated with poor hygiene, sanitation, or contaminated food and water.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

A virus transmitted percutaneously, perinatally, or via mucosal exposure to infected blood and bodily fluids that can result in acute or chronic infection.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

A virus transmitted through contaminated needles, sexual activity, or blood products that can cause acute or chronic infection; currently lacks a vaccine.

Icteric Phase

The acute phase of hepatitis characterized by jaundice, dark urine, clay-colored stools, pruritus, and an enlarged, tender liver.

Fulminant Hepatic Failure

Acute liver failure accompanied by hepatic encephalopathy, commonly caused by acetaminophen overdose, alcohol, or Hepatitis B.

Cirrhosis

Extensive degeneration and destruction of liver cells where healthy tissue is replaced by scar tissue, giving the liver a nodular appearance.

Portal Hypertension

A complication of cirrhosis involving increased venous pressure in the portal circulation, leading to splenomegaly, collateral veins, and ascites.

Esophageal and Gastric Varices

Large, fragile collateral veins that develop due to portal hypertension and carry a significant risk for bleeding.

Sengstaken-Blakemore tube

A triple-lumen device used for balloon tamponade to control bleeding in patients with esophageal varices.

Ascites

The accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity resulting from portal hypertension and decreased albumin levels.

Hepatic Encephalopathy

A neuropsychiatric condition occurring when the liver is unable to convert ammonia to urea, resulting in changes in mental status.

Asterixis

A clinical manifestation of hepatic encephalopathy characterized by a flapping tremor of the hands.

Lactulose

A medication used in the collaborative care of hepatic encephalopathy to aid in the elimination of ammonia.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

A type of primary liver cancer with increased incidence due to Chronic Hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and obesity.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)

A laboratory marker often elevated in patients with liver cancer and used for diagnostic screening.

MELD Score

A scoring system used to determine the priority and eligibility of candidates on the liver transplant waiting list.

Fetor hepaticus

A gastrointestinal manifestation of cirrhosis involving a musty, sweet breath odor.

Caput medusae

The appearance of dilated veins around the umbilicus, often seen as an integumentary manifestation of cirrhosis.

Spider angioma

Small, dilated blood vessels with a bright red center and spider-like branches that appear on the skin in patients with cirrhosis.

Palmar erythema

A skin manifestation of cirrhosis characterized by redness of the palms.