Mr. A and his wife were traveling across country when he suddenly began throwing
ID: 3515985 • Letter: M
Question
Mr. A and his wife were traveling across country when he suddenly began throwing up blood and having bloody diarrhea. His wife stopped at the nearest hospital because she thought her husband was about to die. A quick history reveals the following significant information:
-Gastroesophageal reflux for 10 years—treated with over-the-counter meds
-Frequent headaches—treated with acetaminophen
-Hypertension for 15 years—treated with lisinopril (when he remembers to take it)
-Stopped smoking about 6 months ago
-Drinks a “good bit”
-Decreased appetite for the past 3 months
-Fever off and on
1. Which of the findings above would the nurse want to clarify, and why?
His wife bursts into tears and states, “I knew this was going to happen. He is an alcoholic, and I just knew his liver would mess up one day. He drinks 6 or 8 glasses of liquor a night, and he has been drinking almost continually since we have been on this trip.”
2. What is the relationship between alcohol and liver damage?
Based on the significant assessment findings below, he is diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis.
-Yellowish sclera
-Hepatic tenderness
-Elevated liver enzymes
-Distended, fluid-filled abdomen (ascites)
-Altered level of consciousness
-Asterixis
3. Discuss the pathophysiology associated with the bleeding, ascites, and altered level of consciousness
Explanation / Answer
1
1..Mr drknks a lot.He drinks 6 to 8 glasses of liquor at night and he has been drinking continually since they went on trip.
2.Alcohol increases the inflammation in thhe liver and it increases fibrosis.Alcohol increases the risk if the liver cancer and death from liver diseases.
3.Hepatic encephalopathy is associated with bleeding,ascites and altered level of consciousness due to liver failure.The onset may be gradual or sudden.
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