HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY - QUIZ QUESTIONS

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Liver failure may be acute or chronic. 
Causes include:certain drugs, alcohol
 abuse and certain chemicals .

Hepatic Encephalopathy

Hepatic Encephalopathy is a complication 
of liver failure. The damaged liver loses the
ability to remove ammonia and other toxic
waste.These products build up in the blood
and can migrate to the brain, resulting in 
encephalopathy. 

Patients may become confused, lethargic 
and even comatose.  Typically, Lactulose
is ordered by the doctor, to remove excess 
ammonia. ICP monitoring is sometimes 
done for the patient with hepatic encephalopathy.                                                                                     

Ascites

This condition is heralded by a very distended 
abdomen because of excessive peritoneal fluid. 
Breathing becomes difficult and paracentesis is 
ordered by the doctor, to remove the fluid. 

Anasarca

Anasarca, which is also known as generalised edema, 
may be caused by a number of conditions. These include:
- Heart, renal or liver failure
- Low albumin (hypoalbuminemia), burns
- Corticosteroids and more

Paracentesis

The patient in liver failure may experience
 difficulty breathing , as fluid may accumulate 
in the peritoneal cavity. The doctor may do
a Paracentesis to make breathing easier.

 
Esophageal varices  

Esophageal varices is a complication of liver 
failure and considered to be life threatening. 
If the dilated blood vessels should rupture,
 hemorrhage can result and subsequently
hypovolemic shock.

Quiz questions


1) What causes liver failure?
2) What causes hepatic encephalopathy?
3) How is encephalopathy treated?
4) What is anasarca?
5) Why is a Paracentesis done?

 


Learn more about: Understanding Autodigestion



 

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