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GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM
543
Signs and symproms of cirrhosis include the followingl9,52,6L
•
Recent weight loss or gain
•
Fatigability
• Jaundice
•
Lower-extremity edema
• Anorexia, nausea, or vomiting
•
Fever
• Decreased urine outpur (urine dark yellow or amber)
• Associated GI manifestations of esophageal varices, bowel habit
changes, and GI bleeding
• Altered mental status
Management of cirrhosis includes the following",6I:
• Supportive care, including i.v. fluids, whole blood and blood
products, colloid (albumin), vitamin and electrolyte replacement,
and dietary and behavioral modifications (eliminate alcohol consumption)
• Medical correction, surgical correction, or both of primary etiology or secondary complications as indicated
• Paracentesis
• Supplemental oxygen
•
Liver transplantation (see Chapter 12)
Hepatic Encephalopathy and Coma
Acute and chronic liver diseases, particularly cirrhosis, may lead to
neuropsychiatric manifestations that may progress from hepatic
encephalopathy to precoma ro coma. The majority of neuropsychiatric manifestations are linked to ammonia intoxication from faulty liver metabolisrn.39,52
Signs and symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy that may progress
to coma include the following:
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AClITE CARE HANDBOOK FOR PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
• Altered states of consciousness (e.g., lethargy, stupor, confusion,
slowed responses)
• Neuromuscular abnormalities (e.g., tremor, dyscoordination,
slurred speech, altered reflexes, ataxia, rigidity, Babinski's sign, and
impaired handwriting)
• Altered intellectual function (decreased attention span, amnesia,
disorientation)
• Altered personality and behavioral changes (euphoria or depression, irritability, anxiety, paranoia, rage)
Management of hepatic encephalopathy and coma may consist of
any of the following.l9•52:
• Administering nonabsorbable disaccharides, such as lactulose, is
the mainstay of treatment
• Correction of fluid and electrolyte or acid-base imbalances, or
both
• Supplemental oxygen
• Removal of any precipitating substances
• Gastric lavage or enemas
• Ammonia detoxicants
• Anti-infective agents
• Surgical correction of causal or contributing factors (rare)
Clinical Tip
Hepatic encephalopathy may also be referred to as portal
systemic encephalopathy (PSE) because of the association
between portal hypertension and cirrhosis in the development of encephalopathy.
Cholecystitis with Cholelithiasis
Cholecystitis is acute or chronic inflammation of the gallbladder. It is
associated with obstruction by gallstones in 90% of cases. Gallstone
formation (cholelithiasis) is associated with three factors: gallbladder
GASTROII'ITF..5TINAl SYSTEM
545
hypomobility, supersaturation of bile with cholesterol, and crystal
formation from an increased concemration of insoluble bilirubin in
the bile. Cholelithiasis can lead to secondary bacterial infection that
further exacerbates the cholecystitis.39,,,
Signs and symptoms of cholecystitis include the following",4o.62:
• Severe abdominal pain in right upper quadrant with possible
pain referral to interscapular region
• Rebound tenderness and abdominal rigidity
• Jaundice
• Anorexia
•
ausea, vomiting, or both
• Fever
Management of cholecystitis includes any of the following39,,,:
• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy or cholecystostomy (temporary
drain placement in the gallbladder until obstruction is relieved)
• Gallstone dilution therapy with chenodeoxycholic and ursodeoxycholic acid
• Anti-infective agents
• Pain management
• i. v. fluids
• Insertion of nasogastric tube
Pallereatic Disorders
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas can be acute or chronic. The incidence
of acute pancreatitis is rising, and the clinical sequelae are potentially fatal, including adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and shock. This section therefore focuses on acute pancreatitis.
Acute pancreatitis can be categorized as necrotizing or interstitial.
Pancreatitis involves an exaggerated release and activity of pancreatic enzymes into the peritoneal cavity, along with autodigestion of pancreatic parenchyma. The exact trigger to this process is
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AClITE CARE HANDBOOK FOR PIIYSICAL TIIERAPISTS
unknown, but the most common contributing factors are gallstones
and alcohol and drug abuse."··] Other contributing factors also
include the following]"·]: