Ch.35 Nursing Care of Patients With Liver, Pancreatic, and Gallbladder Disorders Flashcards

Vocabulary and diagnostic terminology regarding liver, pancreatic, and gallbladder disorders including hepatitis, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and cholecystitis based on lecture notes.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the cells of the liver, often caused by a virus, medications, alcohol, chemicals, or metabolic and vascular disorders.

Prodromal stage

The initial stage of hepatitis characterized by flu-like symptoms and right upper quadrant ($RUQ$) pain.

Icteric stage

The second stage of hepatitis marked by jaundice and a worsening of clinical symptoms.

Convalescent

The final stage of hepatitis involving a return to normal liver function.

Acute Liver Failure

Sudden massive loss of liver tissue, commonly caused by drug toxicity from acetaminophen ($Tylenol$) or hepatitis.

Hepatic encephalopathy

Brain dysfunction associated with liver failure that results in behavior changes, confusion, coma, and elevated ammonia levels.

Cirrhosis

A progressive and irreversible condition where healthy liver tissue is replaced with fibrotic scar tissue.

Portal hypertension

Increased pressure in the portal vein system that leads to complications such as esophageal varices, ascites, and splenomegaly.

Ascites

Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, often managed with diuretics, sodium restriction, or paracentesis.

Fetor hepaticus

A distinct, foul breath odor that occurs as a sign of hepatic encephalopathy.

Caput medusae

Dilated veins radiating from the umbilicus, which is a clinical sign of portal hypertension.

Hepatorenal Syndrome

A complication of liver disease involving kidney dysfunction characterized by oliguria and sodium retention.

Lactulose

A medication used to decrease ammonia levels in patients with liver failure, which typically results in the patient having loose stools.

Acute Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas where autodigestion occurs due to elevated enzymes and fluid loss.

Turner sign

A complication of acute pancreatitis involving purplish discoloration or bruising of the flanks.

Cullen sign

A complication of acute pancreatitis involving purplish discoloration or bruising around the umbilicus.

Steatorrhea

The excretion of fatty, foul-smelling stools, commonly seen in chronic pancreatitis.

Whipple procedure

A surgical pancreatoduodenectomy used as a therapeutic intervention for cancer of the pancreas.

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder.

Cholelithiasis

The formation or presence of stones within the gallbladder.

Choledocholithiasis

The presence of stones specifically in the common bile duct.

Murphy sign

A clinical finding of tenderness in the $RUQ$ on inspiration, indicating gallbladder disorders.

Biliary colic

Severe, steady epigastric or $RUQ$ pain associated with gallstones.

Sorafenib (Nexavar)

A chemotherapy medication used for the therapeutic intervention of liver cancer.

Zepatier (Elbasvir/grazoprevir)

A direct-acting antiviral medication used to treat certain genotypes of Hepatitis C ($HCV$).

Harvoni (Sofosbuvir/ledipasvir)

A direct-acting antiviral medication used for the treatment of Hepatitis C ($HCV$).

Liver Transplant Rejection (Pulse)

A clinical sign of rejection indicated by a pulse rate greater than $100\,\text{beats per minute}$.

Liver Transplant Rejection (Temperature)

A clinical sign of rejection indicated by a body temperature greater than $101\,^{\circ}F$ ($38\,^{\circ}C$).

Acute Pancreatitis Diagnostic Marker (Enzymes)

A diagnostic criterion for acute pancreatitis where serum amylase and/or lipase is greater than $3\,\text{times normal}$.

HIDA scan

Also known as cholescintigraphy, a diagnostic test used to visualize the gallbladder and bile ducts.

ERCP

An abbreviation for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, which can be used for diagnosis or can potentially induce acute pancreatitis.

T-tube

A drainage tube used in common bile duct surgery during a traditional open cholecystectomy.

TIPS

Abbreviation for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, a therapeutic intervention used to manage ascites.

Rifaximin (Xifaxan)

A medication used as a therapeutic intervention for hepatic encephalopathy to reduce ammonia levels.