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ACTIVITY_LIVER-CIRRHOSIS

This document outlines a group activity for medical-surgical nursing students focusing on liver cirrhosis, specifically analyzing a case study of a 50-year-old male with alcohol-induced cirrhosis. Students are instructed to create a comprehensive nursing care plan addressing symptoms, complications, and patient-centered care strategies. The activity requires proper formatting, a cover sheet, and a minimum of five APA references.

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3 views4 pages

ACTIVITY_LIVER-CIRRHOSIS

This document outlines a group activity for medical-surgical nursing students focusing on liver cirrhosis, specifically analyzing a case study of a 50-year-old male with alcohol-induced cirrhosis. Students are instructed to create a comprehensive nursing care plan addressing symptoms, complications, and patient-centered care strategies. The activity requires proper formatting, a cover sheet, and a minimum of five APA references.

Uploaded by

gaiarae24
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MEDICAL – SURGICAL NURSING 2

LIVER CIRRHOSIS
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

1. This is a group activity. Utilize the groupings you had during our previous activities.
2. Answers must be printed in short-size bond papers using Arial 12 and 1-inch margin on
all sides.
3. Provide a cover sheet, indicating our Course Code, complete course title, the title of the
activity and the names of all members of the group. (you can decide what font style and
size to use for the cover page).
4. A reference page must be provided. A minimum of 5 refences will be used in this task
utilizing the APA 7 referencing format.
5. Answer the following prompts:

Activity: Case Study and Care Planning for Liver Cirrhosis


Objective:
Students will work in groups to analyze a case study of a patient with liver cirrhosis, identify
symptoms, complications, and develop a comprehensive nursing care plan.
The Case:
Case Study: 50-Year-Old Male with Alcohol-Induced Cirrhosis
Medical History:
 Patient: John D., a 50-year-old male
 Diagnosis: Alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis (diagnosed 2 years ago)
 Alcohol Use History:
o Consumed alcohol heavily for 20+ years, averaging 8-10 drinks/day.

o Stopped drinking 6 months ago after hospitalization for gastrointestinal bleeding.

 Previous Medical Issues:


o Hypertension (controlled with medication)

o Gastrointestinal bleeding (esophageal varices), treated with banding

o Weight loss over the past year (15 lbs)

o Hepatitis C negative

Current Symptoms:
 Fatigue: Persistent, limiting daily activities.
 Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes, worsening over the past month.
 Ascites: Abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation, causing discomfort and difficulty
breathing.
 Muscle Wasting: Noticeable loss of muscle mass in the arms and legs.
 Pruritus (Itching): Complaints of itching, especially at night.
 Bruising: Reports of easily bruising, with multiple bruises on arms and legs.
 Loss of Appetite: Reduced appetite with difficulty eating full meals.
Physical Examination:
 Vital Signs:
o BP: 140/90 mmHg

o HR: 95 bpm

o RR: 20 breaths/min

o Temperature: 98.6°F (37°C)

 Abdominal Examination:
o Distended abdomen with shifting dullness on percussion.

o No tenderness upon palpation.

 Skin:
o Jaundice present.

o Spider angiomas on upper chest and face.

o Bruises on extremities.

Lab Results:
 Liver Function Tests:
o ALT: 75 U/L (elevated)

o AST: 150 U/L (elevated)

o Bilirubin (Total): 4.0 mg/dL (elevated)

o Albumin: 2.5 g/dL (low)

o INR: 1.8 (elevated)

o Platelets: 90,000/mm³ (low)

 Complete Blood Count:


o Hemoglobin: 10 g/dL (low)

o WBC: 5,000/mm³ (normal)

 Electrolytes:
o Sodium: 130 mEq/L (low)

o Potassium: 3.8 mEq/L (normal)

Relevant Lifestyle Information:


 Diet: Eats a low-protein diet due to concerns about hepatic encephalopathy but has not
consulted a dietitian. Poor nutritional intake, leading to weight loss.
 Living Situation: Lives alone, limited social support; struggles with daily activities due to
fatigue and abdominal discomfort.
 Medications:
o Furosemide (Lasix) for ascites

o Spironolactone for fluid management

o Beta-blocker (propranolol) for variceal bleeding prevention

o Multivitamins

 Noncompliance: Misses doses of diuretics due to frequent urination and difficulty


managing medication schedules.

Questions:
1. Begin by providing a brief overview of liver cirrhosis, its causes, symptoms, and
complications (e.g., ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, portal hypertension).

2. Explain the importance of a comprehensive, patient-centered care plan in managing


cirrhosis.

3. Based on the case provided:

a. Explore the causes of cirrhosis in the case and discuss how these factors
influence the progression of the disease.
b. Identify and discuss the symptoms and potential complications.
c. Create a nursing care plan (using CIT-U’s NCP format or you can create your
own format) for the patient, addressing:
i. Priority Nursing Diagnoses (e.g., impaired liver function, fluid
imbalance, risk of infection)
ii. Interventions (e.g., medication management, nutritional support, patient
education)
iii. Patient Education (e.g., lifestyle changes, managing symptoms,
preventing complications)

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