UNDERSTANDING LIVER FAILURE

Hi guys,

The above illustrations are to help you get the clinical picture of a patient in Hepatic Failure.

The liver ia a large and very complex organ with a lot of work to do. Bile production which aids digestion , converting ammonia into urea for excretion, coagulation functions and more. Liver damage either acute or chronic is very debilitating to the patient.

Damage to the liver may have various causes. The course of illness may be short or prolonged.

Patients who have illness due to liver damage may have jaundice . This is manifested by a yellow pigmentation of the skin, sclera of the eyes and urine . The skin is typically very dry and itchy. Liver damage may also lead to kidney failure , coagulation ( clotting )problems and hepatic encephalopathy. As the liver loses the ability to do its normal functions , patients may experience bleeding problems , or become increasingly lethargic which can lead to coma.

FOR MORE HELPFUL AND UPDATED INFORMATION ON END-STAGE LIVER FAILURE AND LIVER TRANSPLANTATION , CLICK ON THE LINK:

http://www.dearnurses.net/the_clinical_setting_step_by_step, CHAPTER 10

Also visit: SESSIONS 2

HAVE A GREAT WEEK !