Chapter 22

abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. This is a common complication of cirrhosis

chronic liver disease that is a result of longstanding or repeated damage to the liver. Scar tissue replaces tissue resulting in many complications related to loss of normal liver function. Cirrhosis is often referred to as end stage liver disease

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE)

dysfunction of the brain and nervous system that occurs in patients with cirrhosis. This disorder is thought to be due to the presence of waste products in the blood stream, such as ammonia, that are normally detoxified by the liver

Hepatitis

hepatitis means inflammation of the liver and may be caused by a variety of diseases, toxins, and drugs. Hepatitis may by acute or chronic and patients may exhibit symptoms, such as abdominal pain, jaundice, or nausea. Hepatitis may also be severe enough to require hospitalization

Jaundice

yellow discoloration of the skin, whites of the eyes, and mucous membranes that occurs in patients with hepatitis or cirrhosis. This is due to accumulation of a substance called bilirubin that is normally detoxified by the liver

Malabsorption

the inability to absorb nutrients from the GI tract. This is often seen in patients with chronic pancreatitis who lose the ability to digest orally ingested food (maldigestion) due to a lack of pancreatic enzymes

Pancreatitis

inflammation of the pancreas due to toxins, drugs, trauma, structural abnormalities, or other causes. Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic

Portal hypertension

increased pressure in the portal vein, due to back up of blood flow as a result of the presence of cirrhosis

Pseudocyst

a large fluid collection that forms in or around the pancreas as a result of inflammation due to pancreatitis

Varices

enlarged veins located in the lower part of the esophagus or the stomach that are close to the surface. The veins become so large that that may burst, leading to life-threatening bleeding

Chapter 22: Flashcards

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Ascites abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. This is a common complication of cirrhosis	Cirrhosis chronic liver disease that is a result of longstanding or repeated damage to the liver. Scar tissue replaces tissue resulting in many complications related to loss of normal liver function. Cirrhosis is often referred to as end stage liver disease	Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) dysfunction of the brain and nervous system that occurs in patients with cirrhosis. This disorder is thought to be due to the presence of waste products in the blood stream, such as ammonia, that are normally detoxified by the liver	Hepatitis hepatitis means inflammation of the liver and may be caused by a variety of diseases, toxins, and drugs. Hepatitis may by acute or chronic and patients may exhibit symptoms, such as abdominal pain, jaundice, or nausea. Hepatitis may also be severe enough to require hospitalization
Jaundice yellow discoloration of the skin, whites of the eyes, and mucous membranes that occurs in patients with hepatitis or cirrhosis. This is due to accumulation of a substance called bilirubin that is normally detoxified by the liver	Malabsorption the inability to absorb nutrients from the GI tract. This is often seen in patients with chronic pancreatitis who lose the ability to digest orally ingested food (maldigestion) due to a lack of pancreatic enzymes	Pancreatitis inflammation of the pancreas due to toxins, drugs, trauma, structural abnormalities, or other causes. Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic
Portal hypertension increased pressure in the portal vein, due to back up of blood flow as a result of the presence of cirrhosis	Pseudocyst a large fluid collection that forms in or around the pancreas as a result of inflammation due to pancreatitis	Varices enlarged veins located in the lower part of the esophagus or the stomach that are close to the surface. The veins become so large that that may burst, leading to life-threatening bleeding