Advanced Med Surg Quiz 3 Questions and
Verified Answers
Functions of the liver Correct Answer: Largest gland of the body
Located upper right abdomen
A very vascular organ
Receives blood from hepatic Portal Vein
-Can be considered chemical factory that stores, alters, and excretes large numbers of substances
involved in metabolism.
-Regulation of glucose and protein metabolism
-Manufactures and secretes bile which has a major role in the digestion and absorption of fats in the GI
tract.
-Removes waste from the bloodstream and secretes them into bile
-Storage of blood
Liver disorders are common and may result from Correct Answer: a virus, exposure to toxic substances
such as alcohol, or tumors
Pre‐procedure Liver Biopsy Correct Answer: Check coagulation related labs: bleeding and bile peritonitis
as complications
Explain procedure: removal of a small amount of liver tissue, usually through
needle aspiration. It permits examination of liver cells
Nursing care related to liver biopsy Correct Answer: *First 2 - 3 hours*
*Positioning*- turn on to the right side; place a pillow under the costal margin, and caution the patient to
remain in this position, recumbent and immobile, for several hours.
,-*Instruct the patient to avoid coughing or straining.*
-*Monitor VS*
10 to 15 minute intervals for the first hour, then every 30 minutes for the next 1 to 2 hours or until the
patient's condition stabilizes.
*Discharge instructions*
avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for 1 week.
Pathophysiology of cirrhosis Correct Answer: -a chronic disease characterized by replacement of normal
liver tissue with diffuse fibrosis that disrupts the structure and function of the liver
-The destroyed liver cells are gradually replaced by scar tissue. Eventually the amount of scar tissue
exceeds that of the functioning liver tissue.
-Islands of residual normal tissue and regenerated liver tissue may project from the constricted area,
giving the cirrhotic liver its characteristic hobnail (cobblestone) appearance.
*Types and Causes*
*Alcoholic cirrhosis*
*most common* - r/t alcoholism
*Postnecrotic cirrhosis*
previous bout of acute viral hepatitis.
*Biliary cirrhosis*
results from chronic biliary obstruction and infection (cholangitis); less common
Manifestations associated with cirrhosis Correct Answer: *Compensated* - less severe/vague symptoms
intermittent mild fever
vascular spiders (spider veins), palmar erythema (reddened palms)
, unexplained epistaxis
ankle edema
vague morning indigestion
flatulent dyspepsia
abdominal pain
firm, enlarged liver,
splenomegaly
*Uncompensated* - failure of liver
Ascites
jaundice
weakness
muscle wasting
weight loss
continuous mild fever
clubbing of fingers
purpura (due to decreased platelet count) & spontaneous bruising
Epistaxis
hypotension
sparse body hair
white nails
Verified Answers
Functions of the liver Correct Answer: Largest gland of the body
Located upper right abdomen
A very vascular organ
Receives blood from hepatic Portal Vein
-Can be considered chemical factory that stores, alters, and excretes large numbers of substances
involved in metabolism.
-Regulation of glucose and protein metabolism
-Manufactures and secretes bile which has a major role in the digestion and absorption of fats in the GI
tract.
-Removes waste from the bloodstream and secretes them into bile
-Storage of blood
Liver disorders are common and may result from Correct Answer: a virus, exposure to toxic substances
such as alcohol, or tumors
Pre‐procedure Liver Biopsy Correct Answer: Check coagulation related labs: bleeding and bile peritonitis
as complications
Explain procedure: removal of a small amount of liver tissue, usually through
needle aspiration. It permits examination of liver cells
Nursing care related to liver biopsy Correct Answer: *First 2 - 3 hours*
*Positioning*- turn on to the right side; place a pillow under the costal margin, and caution the patient to
remain in this position, recumbent and immobile, for several hours.
,-*Instruct the patient to avoid coughing or straining.*
-*Monitor VS*
10 to 15 minute intervals for the first hour, then every 30 minutes for the next 1 to 2 hours or until the
patient's condition stabilizes.
*Discharge instructions*
avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for 1 week.
Pathophysiology of cirrhosis Correct Answer: -a chronic disease characterized by replacement of normal
liver tissue with diffuse fibrosis that disrupts the structure and function of the liver
-The destroyed liver cells are gradually replaced by scar tissue. Eventually the amount of scar tissue
exceeds that of the functioning liver tissue.
-Islands of residual normal tissue and regenerated liver tissue may project from the constricted area,
giving the cirrhotic liver its characteristic hobnail (cobblestone) appearance.
*Types and Causes*
*Alcoholic cirrhosis*
*most common* - r/t alcoholism
*Postnecrotic cirrhosis*
previous bout of acute viral hepatitis.
*Biliary cirrhosis*
results from chronic biliary obstruction and infection (cholangitis); less common
Manifestations associated with cirrhosis Correct Answer: *Compensated* - less severe/vague symptoms
intermittent mild fever
vascular spiders (spider veins), palmar erythema (reddened palms)
, unexplained epistaxis
ankle edema
vague morning indigestion
flatulent dyspepsia
abdominal pain
firm, enlarged liver,
splenomegaly
*Uncompensated* - failure of liver
Ascites
jaundice
weakness
muscle wasting
weight loss
continuous mild fever
clubbing of fingers
purpura (due to decreased platelet count) & spontaneous bruising
Epistaxis
hypotension
sparse body hair
white nails
