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LEVEL 4 . NCM 105 . 2 ND SEM SY 2011-2012 P a g e | 1
Level 4CASE PRESENTATION
2nd Semester SY 2011-12
I. Statement of Objectives
A. General Objectives
This case analysis aims to increase the understanding and knowledge of student nurses on how
to care for patients with Liver Cirrhosis, ascites effectively and efficiently.
B. Specific Objectives
Specifically, this case analysis aims to:
1. Define Liver Cirrhosis and its effects to the body as a whole;
2. Illustrate the pathophysiology of Liver Cirrhosis and in relation to the signs and symptomsspecifically observed in the client;
3. Describe and identify the common signs and symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis;
4. Discuss the medical and surgical interventions for the management of Liver Cirrhosis;
5. Formulate appropriate nursing care plans suited for the client based on the assessment findings;
6. Identify care measures to be given to the patient and family to promote continuity of care and
independence after discharge.
II. Clients Profi leName :N.S.
Age :43
Birth date :January 20 1968
Sex :Male
Ethnic Background :Pangasinense
Civil Status :Married
Address :1st Kayang St. B.C.
Religion :Roman Catholic
Occupation :Vendor
Admitting Diagnosis :Liver Cirrhosis, ascites secondary to alcohol liver disease
Final/Principal Diagnosis : Liver Cirrhosis, ascites secondary to alcohol liver disease
Admitting Physician :Dr. Curameng
Date and Time Admitted :January 18 2012
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III. Chief ComplaintAbdominal pain, DOB
IV. History of Present IllnessThe patients condition started 1 month prior to admission when the patient noted his abdomen to be
slightly distended, and he was easily fatigued. He did not seek consultation and ignored the signs and
symptoms. He did not take any medication. Two weeks prior to admission the patient had decreased
appetite and had a feeling of constant fullness. He sought consult at Assumption Medical Diagnostic
Clinic and had an ultrasound revealing ascites and multiple cholelithiasis. The patient was advised for
admission but he refused.
One day prior to admission, the patients abdominal distention increased in size, the patient complained
of difficulty of breathing prompting medical consultation, hence his admission to BGHMC (Baguio
General Hospital and Medical Center).
V. Past Medical HistoryThe client had Hepatitis A on the year 1990 while he was working as a construction worker, he did not
seek medical treatment and he claims the disease resolved on its own. The client was not involved in
any major accident or contracted any other major disease. He experienced minor ailments such as
fever, flu, and cough and colds, which were treated with over the counter medication. He has not been
hospitalized prior to his admission to BGHMC.
VI. Family Health HistoryThe client does not have any familial history for any disease.
VII. Developmental HistoryOur client is a 43 year old male, based on the developmental stages of Eric Erikson; he is under
generativity vs self-absorption. In this developmental stage work is most crucial. Erikson observed that
middle-age is when we tend to be occupied with creative and meaningful work and with issues
surrounding our family. Also, middle adulthood is when we can expect to "be in charge," the role we've
longer envied. The significant task is to perpetuate culture and transmit values of the culture through
the family (taming the kids) and working to establish a stable environment or relationship. Strength
comes through care of others and production of something that contributes to the betterment of
society.
Our client works as a cook. He and his wife manage their business in order to sustain their daily living,
but after being hospitalized due to the serious illness he developed a sense of uselessness. Patient
quoted : pabigat na ako sa pamilya ko, di namin alam kung saan kami kukuha ng pangastos, pati mga
anak ko tumigil ngayon sa pagaaral para my katulong ang asawa ko na umaasikaso sa negosyo namin,
but because of support and love of his family he continues to have hope for himself.
VIII. Social and Environmental HistoryThe patient lives with his family in a 2 room apartment approximately 75 square meters. The apartment
is a four story building made up of concrete and generally strong materials. The patient claims to be
friendly with their neighbors and does not have any disputes with family members or non-family
members. He does not have any problems interacting with his family. He has some drinking buddies
who drink with him within the vicinity almost every night.
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IX. Lifestyle and Health PracticesThe patient started drinking alcoholic beverages at the age of seventeen. He stated that he drinks on
average one to two bottles of beer almost every night. He is fond of eating the fatty meat leftover from
what he prepares for their mami and arozcaldo business especially along with the beer. The patient
claims he does not smoke and neither does his family members. The client does not perform any
exercise. He does not take any vitamins. Most ailments are dealt with by taking OTC medication.
X. Health Assessment
A. General SurveyThe patient is receiving oxygen via cannula at 2-3 Lpm. With ongoing IVF of PNSS 1L regulated at KVO
infusing well at the right hand. Patient is ambulatory but needs some assistance in performing ADL.
Patient is conversant and cooperative. Drainage is noted at the right lower quadrant where peritoneal
fluid is drained regularly by the physician. The patient has a distended abdomen.
B. Head to Toe Assessment1. Head Normocephalic. Hair is black, and well distributed, thick and smooth. Oily, no lice
and dandruff, no lesions noted. No tenderness upon palpation.
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2. Eyes Symmetrical, pupils are equally round, equally reactive to light andaccommodation, able to follow penlight with gaze, palpebral and fornixconjunctiva are moist and light pink. No verbalized problems in vision. Able todistinguish colors. With slight yellowing of the sclera.
3. Ears Able to understand and hear spoken language correctly, with minimal cerumenbuild-up on the ear canal. With intact tympanic membrane. No lesions noted.There is no pain or tenderness upon palpation of the auricles and the mastoid
process.4. Nose and Sinuses Nose is patent, septum is located midline, no flaring noted, able to distinguish
scent, and no episodes of epistaxis, sinuses are not tender on palpation.
5. Mouth Incomplete set of adult teeth, with dental carries noted at molar teeth, no malaligned tooth, no dentures. Oral mucosa is moist and pinkish, no lesions noted,tonsils are not inflamed, uvula is located midline.
6. Neck ROM intact (able to change direction of head with ease and without complaints of pain); carotid pulse are bilaterally symmetrical, full and strong pulses, jugular veinis not distended. Thyroid is located midline, no enlargement noted.
7. Chest: A) LUNGS Symmetrical chest wall expansion noted, with regular rate and depth of inspiration(23 cpm). Neither crackles nor wheezing noted upon auscultation. RR: 23cpm
B) Cardiac Adynamic precordium; PMI located at 5th ICS LMCL. Normal rate, regular rhythm,no murmur noted, With BP= 140/90 mmhg, PR= 92 bpm. With bounding pulse.
8. Abdomen With paracentesis site noted at the right lower quadrant. Rigid, globular, withabdominal girth of 93 cm, with dullness to percussion on the RUQ. With tympanicsounds at the LUQ. No masses palpable. With bowel incontinence. Withhypoactive bowel sounds.
9. Uro-genital No complaints of dysuria, with polyuria.
10. Musculoskeletal No tremors noted, with muscle wasting noted. With muscle grading of 4/5 and fullROM, weakness noted.
11. Integumentary With good skin turgor, no wounds, no evidence of dryness. Flushed appearance,skin warm to touch. T=36.8 C. No diaphoresis. With edema of lower extremities.
XI. DiagnosticsDiagnostic Procedure Definition Normal reference values Actual values
Peritoneal fluid Differential
and cell count
01/19/12
5:30pm
Doctors remove fluid
(ascites) from the
abdomen to analyze its
composition and determine
its origin, to relieve the
pressure and discomfort it
causes, and to check for
signs of internal bleeding
This procedure should beperformed whenever an
individual experiences
sudden or worsening
abdominal swelling or
when ascites is
accompanied by fever,
abdominal pain, confusion,
or coma.
RBC: none
WBC: less than 300/cumm
RBC: 3/cumm
WBC: 15/cumm
Blood in the fluid may
indicate an injury.
The WBC count is less than
300/cumm therefore
infection is ruled out.
Hematology
01/20/12
A clotting test, the
prothrombin time is done
to test the integrity of partof the clotting scheme.
Familiarly called the "pro
time," the test is the time
needed for clot formation
after a substance called
thromboplastin (+ calcium)
has been added to plasma.
PT: 11.5-15.5 seconds
PTT: 26-36 seconds
PT: 18.9 seconds
PTT: 43.1 seconds
Both PT and PTT areprolonged which may
indicate that the liver is not
functioning properly since
the liver is the organ for
synthesis of Prothrombin
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Prothrombin is a
coagulation (clotting)
factor needed for the
normal clotting of blood.
There is a cascade ofbiochemical events that
leads to the formation of
the final clot. In this
cascade, prothrombin is a
precursor to thrombin.
Because prothrombin
comes before thrombin, it
is called prothrombin.
Gram stain and Acid Fast
Stain
01/20/12
Gram staining (or Gram's
method) is a method of
differentiating bacterialspecies into two large
groups (Gram-positive and
Gram-negative).
Bacteria with an acid-fast
cell wall when stained by
the acid-fast procedure,
resist decolorization with
acid-alcohol and stain red,
the color of the initial
stain, carbol fuchsin. The
genus Mycobacterium and
the genus Nocardia are
acid-fast. All other bacteria
will be decolorized and
stain blue, the color of the
counterstain methylene
blue.
The acid-fast stain is an
especially important test
for the genus
Mycobacterium. Besides
the many saprophytic
forms of mycobacteria,
there are two distinctpathogens in this group:
M. tuberculosis, the
causative organism of
tuberculosis, and M.
leprae, the causative agent
of leprosy. Mycobacterium
tuberculosis (the tubercle
bacillus) causes
tuberculosis, although
atypical species of
Mycobacterium may
occasionally causetuberculosis-like infections,
especially in the debilitated
or immunosuppressed
host. Mycobacterium
avium-intracellulare
complex (MAC), for
example, frequently causes
Negative for
microorganisms
GS: No microorganisms
seen
AFS: Negative for acid fastbaccili
The results indicate that
there is no infection.
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systemic infections in
people with HIV/AIDS.
Chest PA
01/18/12
a projection radiograph of
the chest used to diagnose
conditions affecting the
chest, its contents, and
nearby structures. Chestradiographs are among the
most common films taken,
being diagnostic of many
conditions.
Normal organs, no
enlargement or fluid
accumulation
Nodularized opacities are
seen on both lower lobes
Heart is not enlarged with
atheromatous aorta
Pulmonary vascularmarkings are within normal
Visualized osseus
structures are
unremarkable
Pneumonitis both lower
lobes
CBC
01/18/12
Test done to count blood
components.
WBC: 5-10x10^9/L
RBC:4.69^6.13x10^12/L
HGB: 140-180 g/L
22.01x10^9/L
3.07x10^12/L
102 g/L
.
Low RBC maybe indicative
of injury or bleeding, low
RBC will also mean low
HGB.
Blood Chemistry
01/18/12
Albumin:3.4-5.0 g/dL
HDL:40-60 mg/dL
LDL:o-200 mg/dL
Triglycerides:0-150 mg/dL
AST:15-37 U/L
1.80 mg/dL
23.46 mg/dL
130 mg/dL
142.22 mg/dL
132 U/L
Results indicate low
albumin levels indicative of
liver damage and may also
be causing ascites because
of low oncotic pressure.
High AST values is
indicative of liver disease
Ultrasound
01/04/12
is an ultrasound-based
diagnostic medical imaging
technique used to visualize
muscles, tendons, and
many internal organs, to
capture their size,
structure and any
pathological lesions with
real time tomographic
images.
Normal organs, absence of
inflammation and excess
fluids.
Hepato-splenomegaly
Ascites
Multiple cholelithiasis
Sonographically normal
pancreas, kidney and
urinary bladder
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XII. General Pathophysiology of Liver Cirrhosis
Precipitating
factor:
Predisposing
factors:Chronic alcohol
Ascites
Structural disorganization and
collapse
Loss of secretory function and
disturbance of excretor
Hypoalbuminemi
Depressed
glycogen
synthesis and
inhibited normal
hepatic cell
metabolism
Decreased synthesis of
prothrombin protein
Prolonged prothrombin time
Portal
hypertension
Build-up of
bilirubin
Collateral circulation
is created
Impaired
metabolism
Impaired
liver function
Injury and
Scarri
Long-term injury of
Loss of liver
Increased
peritoneal
Risk for impaired skin
integrity r/t presence
Cholelithia
Decreasedosmotic
Pressure pushes
the diaphragm
Impaired ATP
production
DOB
Fluid volume excess r/t
compromised
regulatory mechanisms
as evidenced by
ascites, and dyspnea
Backflow of fluid to
the lungs
Backflow of fluids
to the heart
Increasedvenous
Jaundice
Ineffective breathing
pattern related to intra-
abdominal fluid collection
as manifested by
Impaired
Glycogen, lipid,
and protein
Early satiety
Pressure pushes
the stomach
Splenomegaly
Imbalanced nutrition: lessthan body requirements r/tinability to ingest nutrients(anorexia, early satiety) as
evidenced by lack ofappetite and intake.
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XIII. Treatment/ManagementA. Drugs
NAME MECHANISM OF ACTION NURSING IMPLICATION
Generic: Spironolactone
Brand:Aldactone
Classification:Potassium SparingDiuretics
Dosage: 100 mg 1 tab
OD
Competitively blocks the action ofaldosterone in the distal tubule,
causing the loss ofsodium and water
retention of potassium
Alert: Monitor weight, blood pressure, and pulserate routinely with long-term use and duringrapid diuresis.
If oliguria or azotemia develops or increases,drug may need to be stopped.
Monitor fluid intake and output and electrolyte,BUN, and carbon dioxide levels frequently.
Monitor elderly patients, who are especiallysusceptible to excessive diuresis, because
circulatory collapse and thromboemboliccomplications are possible.
Advise patient to restrict intake of high-potassium foods and to avoid licorice and saltsubstitutes containing potassium.
Tell male patient drug may cause breastenlargement.
Advice patient to take drug with food to preventGI upset, and to take drug in morning toprevent need to urinate at night. If patientneeds second dose, tell him to take it in earlyafternoon, 6 to 8 hours after morning dose
Generic: Furosemide
Brand: Lasix
Classification: LoopDiuretics
Dosage: 20mg 1 TabBID
Inhibits sodium and chloridereabsorption at the proximal and
distal tubules and the ascendingloop of Henle
Decrease reabsorption ofsodium and chloride
Alert: Monitor weight, blood pressure, and pulserate routinely with long-term use and during
rapid diuresis. Use can lead to profound waterand electrolyte depletion.
If oliguria or azotemia develops or increases,drug may need to be stopped.
Monitor fluid intake and output and electrolyte,BUN, and carbon dioxide levels frequently.
Watch for signs of hypokalemia, such asmuscle weakness and cramps.
Consult prescriber and dietitian about a high-potassium diet or potassium supplements.Foods rich in potassium include citrus fruits,tomatoes, bananas, dates, and apricots.
Monitor elderly patients, who are especiallysusceptible to excessive diuresis, because
circulatory collapse and thromboemboliccomplications are possible.
Advice patient to take drug with food toprevent GI upset, and to take drug in morningto prevent need to urinate at night. If patientneeds second dose, tell him to take it in earlyafternoon, 6 to 8 hours after morning dose.
Instruct patient to stand slowly to preventdizziness and to strenuous exercise in hot
Risk for bleedingr/t increased
prothrombin time
Use of unsupported
vein, which are more
susceptible to traumaEasy fatigability
Hemorrhage orbleeding from the
veins to the
Decreased circulating
blood supply,
Decreased oncotic
pressure facilitates
fluid accumulation
at the lower lobes
Pneumonitis, both
lower lobes
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weather to avoid worsening dizziness uponstanding quickly.
Advise patient to immediately report ringing inears, severe abdominal pain, or sore throat andfever; these symptoms may indicate toxicity.
Alert: Discourage patient from storing differenttypes of drugs in the same container,
increasing the risk of drug errors. The mostpopular strengths of this drug and digoxin arewhite tablets about equal in size.
Teach patient to avoid direct sunlight and touse protective clothing and a sunblock becauseof risk of photosensitivity reactions.
Generic: Enalapril
Brand: Vasotec
Classification:Angiotensin-ConvertingEnzyme Inhibitors
Dosage: 10mg 1 tab OD
Prevents ACE from convertingangiotensin I to angiotensin II, apowerful vasoconstrictor andstimulator of aldosterone release.This action leads to a decrease inblood pressure and in aldosteronesecretion, with a resultant slightincrease in serum potassium and
a loss of serum sodium fluid. Decrease in cardiac
workload
Decrease in peripheralresistance and bloodvolume
Encourage the patient to implement lifestylechanges, including weight loss, smokingcessation, decreased alcohol and salt in thediet, and increase exercise, to increase theeffectiveness of antihypertensive therapy.
Administer on an empty stomach, 1 hour beforeor 2 hours after meals, to ensure properabsorption of drug.
Monitor the patient carefully in any situation thatmight lead to a drop in fluid volume (e.g.,excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea,dehydration), to detect and treat excessivehypotension that may occur.
Provide comfort measures to help the patienttolerate drug effect. These include small,frequent meals; access to bathroom facilities;bowel program as needed; environmentalcontrols; safety precautions; and appropriateskin care as needed.
Provide thorough patient teaching, including thename of the drug, dosage prescribed,measures to avoid adverse effects, warning
signs of problems, and the need for periodicmonitoring and evaluation to enhance patientknowledge about drug therapy and to promotecompliance.
Offer support and encourage helping thepatient deal with the diagnosis and the drugregimen.
Generic Name:Clonidine
Brand Name: Catapres
Classification: Alpha-specific adrenergic
agonist
Dosage: 75mg 1 tab SLPRN for BP 150/90
Stimulates CNS alpha2-receptors
Decrease sympatheticoutflow
Do not discontinue drug abruptly becausesudden withdrawal can result in reboundhypertension, arrhythmias, flushing, and evenhypertensive encephalopathy and death.
Monitor blood pressure, pulse, rhythm andcardiac output regularly, even with ophthalmicpreparations in order to adjust dosage or
discontinue the drug if cardiovascular effectsare severe.
Arrange for supportive care and comfortmeasures, including rest and environmentalcontrol to decrease CNS irritant; headachemedication to relieve discomfort; safetymeasures if CNS effects occur to protect the
patient from injury; and protective measures ifCNS effects are severe.
Provide thorough patient teaching, includingdosage, potential adverse effects, safetymeasures, warning signs or problems, andproper administration for each route used, toenhance patient knowledge about drug therapyand to promote compliance.
Offer support and encouragement to help thepatient deal with the drug regimen.
Generic Name:Metronidazole
Brand Name: Flagyl
Classification:
Inhibits DNA synthesis insusceptible protozoa, leading toinability to reproduce andsubsequent cell death
Arrange for appropriate culture and sensitivitytests before beginning therapy to ensure properdrug for susceptible organisms. Treatment maybegin before test results are known.
Administer the complete course of the drug toget the full beneficial effects.
Monitor hepatic function before and periodically
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Antiprotozoal
Dosage: 500mg 1 capevery 6 hours
during treatment to arrange to effectively stopthe drug if signs of failure or worsening liverfunction occur.
Provide comfort and safety measures if CNSeffects occur, such as side rails and assistancewith ambulation if dizziness and weakness arepresent, to prevent injury to the patient. Provide
oral hygiene and ready access to bathroomfacilities as needed to cope with GI effects.
Provide small, frequent, nutritious meals if GIupset is severe to ensure proper nutrition.Monitor nutritional status and arrange a dietaryconsultation as needed. Taking the drug withfood may also decrease GI upset.
Ensure that the patient is instructed about theappropriate dosage regimen to enhance patientknowledge about drug therapy and to promotecompliance.
Generic Name:Ampicillin-sulbactam
Brand Name: Unasyn
Classification: anti-infective
Dosage: 1.5g IV every 8hours
Inhibits bacterial cell-wallsynthesis during microbialmultiplication. Addition of
sulbactam enhances drugsresistance to beta-lactamase, anenzyme that can inactivateampicillin.
Ensure that the patient receives the full courseof the drug to increase effectiveness.
Explain storage requirements for suspensions
and the importance of completing theprescribed therapeutic course even if signs andsymptoms have disappeared, to increase theeffectiveness of the drug and decrease the riskof developing resistant strains.
Monitor the site of infection and presentingsigns and symptoms throughout the course ofdrug therapy. Failure of these signs andsymptoms to resolve may indicate the need tore-culture site.
Provide adequate fluids to replace fluid lost withdiarrhea.
Be sure to instruct the patient regarding theappropriate dosage regimen and possible
effects to enhance the patients knowledgeabout drug therapy and promote compliance.
The patient should try to drink a lot of fluids tomaintain nutrition (very important) even thoughnausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur.
Generic Name: HumanAlbumin
Brand Name:
Classification:
Dosage: 20% solution x2 OD for 5 days
increases intravascular oncoticpressure and causes movementof fluids from interstitial intointravascular space
Hypersensitivity or allergic reactions have beenobserved, and may in some cases progress tosevere anaphylaxis. Epinephrine should beavailable immediately to treat any acutehypersensitivity reaction.
Hypervolemia may occur if the dosage and rateof infusion are not adjusted to the patientsvolume status. At the first clinical signs ofpossible cardiovascular overload, e.g.,headache, dyspnea, increased blood pressure,
jugular venous distention, elevated centralvenous pressure, pulmonary edema, theinfusion should be stopped immediately and thepatient reevaluated.
Generic Name:predigested CHON
Brand Name:
Classification:
Dosage: Soft gel BID
Protein supplement
Generic Name: VitaminK
Brand Name:
Classification:Coagulant
Controls the clotting mechanismof the blood because its action isdirected at the precursor ofprothrombin. Prothrombin isactivated to form thrombin, anenzyme which, in turn, convertsfibrinogen to fibrin, the insolubleprotein that solidifies the bloodclot.
WOF possible symptoms of vitamin K toxicityinclude: thrombosis, vomiting, kidney tubuledegeneration.
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Dosage: 100mg IV ODfor 3 doses
A. I.V. FluidsComponent of Fluids Classification of Fluids Effects or Uses Significance
PNSS
pH: 5.6 (4.5-7.0)
Calculated Osmolarity:310 mOsmol/liter
pH adjusted with
Hydrochloric Acid NFConcentration of
Electrolytes(mEq/liter): Sodium154 Chloride 154
Isotonic solution These intravenoussolutions are indicatedfor use in adults andchildren as sources ofelectrolytes and water
for hydration.
Indicated forpharmaceutics aid anddiluents for theinfusion of
compatibility drugadditives.
Capable ofinducingdiuresisdepending onthe clinical
condition ofthe patient.
B. SURGERIES:
None
XIV. Nursing Care Plans
A. Prioritization of Problems1. List of Problems
Fluid volume excess r/t compromised regulatory mechanisms as evidenced by abdominal edema,
weight gain, and dyspnea
Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements r/t inability to ingest nutrients (anorexia, early
satiety) as evidenced by lack of appetite and intake.
Fatigue/activity intolerance r/t altered body chemistry-changes in liver
function
Risk for bleeding r/t increased prothrombin time
Risk for impaired skin integrity r/t presence of edema or ascites
2. Basis of PrioritizationProblem Basis of Prioritization
1. Ineffective breathing pattern related to
intra-abdominal fluid collection as manifestedby abdominal distention
Aside from being the chief complaint of the
client, this was prioritized because oxygen is aneed for the body. If we follow the ABCs,Breathing is the second most importantpriority.
2. Fluid volume excess r/t compromisedregulatory mechanisms as evidenced byascites, and dyspnea.
According to Abraham Maslows hierarchy of needs,physiologic needs should be first attained/accomplished. In the physiologic needs exists yetanother hierarchy namely the OFFTERAS, which arealso arranged according to priority; oxygen, fluid,
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food, temperature, elimination, rest, activity, andsex. Fluid Volume Excess falls under elimination.The patients normal functioning is impaired due tothe presenting situation resulting to disturbedhomeostasis like fluid shifting as evidenced byascites. And because of this problem, the problemsbelow developed and/or will further develop if
proper medical intervention wont come to place.3. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body
requirements r/t inability to ingest nutrients(anorexia, early satiety) as evidenced by lackof appetite and intake.
Nutrients are important because they are neededfor the repair of the damaged tissue. This isprioritized as the second problem because if theliver recovers, most of the problems would also bedealt with.
4. Risk for bleeding r/t increased prothrombintime.
In cirrhosis, the damaged liver cells regenerate asfibrotic areas instead of functional cells, causingalterations in liver structure, function, bloodcirculation and lymph damage which suggest thatbleeding might occur.
5. Risk for impaired skin integrity r/t presence
of ascites.
This is prioritized lastly because it is the least
important.
List of references:Tortora, Derickson (2006) Principles of Anatomy and Physiology 11th edition
Sheldon (1986) Boyds introduction to the study of disease 10th edition
NANDA
Kozier, Erb (2008) Fundamentals of Nursing 8th edition
Karch, (2007) Lippincotts Nursing Drug guide