NSG 121 LIVER STUDY GUIDE
Primary liver ammonia function - Answers - Breaks down amino acids to remove
ammonia by converting it to urea
Cause of confusion in hepatic encephalopathy - Answers - Ammonia buildup
Treatment for hepatic encephalopathy - Answers - Lactulose
Pruritus cause in liver disease - Answers - Increased bilirubin causing itchy skin
Neurologic liver disease symptom - Answers - Confusion due to increased ammonia
Hematochezia definition - Answers - Bright red blood in stool indicating lower GI
bleeding
Melena definition - Answers - Dark tarry stools indicating upper GI bleeding
Hematologic liver disease sign - Answers - Spontaneous bleeding
Labs important in liver disease - Answers - Hgb, Hct, PT, ALT, albumin
Cirrhosis pathophysiology - Answers - Widespread scarring and nodule formation impair
blood and bile flow
Alcoholic cirrhosis cause - Answers - Chronic alcohol use
Postnecrotic cirrhosis cause - Answers - Viral hepatitis or chemicals
Biliary cirrhosis cause - Answers - Obstructed bile ducts
Cardiac cirrhosis cause - Answers - Right‑sided heart failure
Risk factors for cirrhosis - Answers - Alcohol use, obesity, diabetes, IV drug use, tattoos
Common cirrhosis complication - Answers - Ascites
Loop diuretics effect - Answers - Potassium wasting and risk for hypokalemia
Aldosterone‑blocking diuretics risk - Answers - Hyperkalemia
Skin care for cirrhosis - Answers - Apply lotion for pruritus
Oral care for cirrhosis - Answers - Use soft toothbrush to prevent bleeding
Primary liver ammonia function - Answers - Breaks down amino acids to remove
ammonia by converting it to urea
Cause of confusion in hepatic encephalopathy - Answers - Ammonia buildup
Treatment for hepatic encephalopathy - Answers - Lactulose
Pruritus cause in liver disease - Answers - Increased bilirubin causing itchy skin
Neurologic liver disease symptom - Answers - Confusion due to increased ammonia
Hematochezia definition - Answers - Bright red blood in stool indicating lower GI
bleeding
Melena definition - Answers - Dark tarry stools indicating upper GI bleeding
Hematologic liver disease sign - Answers - Spontaneous bleeding
Labs important in liver disease - Answers - Hgb, Hct, PT, ALT, albumin
Cirrhosis pathophysiology - Answers - Widespread scarring and nodule formation impair
blood and bile flow
Alcoholic cirrhosis cause - Answers - Chronic alcohol use
Postnecrotic cirrhosis cause - Answers - Viral hepatitis or chemicals
Biliary cirrhosis cause - Answers - Obstructed bile ducts
Cardiac cirrhosis cause - Answers - Right‑sided heart failure
Risk factors for cirrhosis - Answers - Alcohol use, obesity, diabetes, IV drug use, tattoos
Common cirrhosis complication - Answers - Ascites
Loop diuretics effect - Answers - Potassium wasting and risk for hypokalemia
Aldosterone‑blocking diuretics risk - Answers - Hyperkalemia
Skin care for cirrhosis - Answers - Apply lotion for pruritus
Oral care for cirrhosis - Answers - Use soft toothbrush to prevent bleeding
