NR 283: DIGESTIVE OUTLINE STUDY GUIDE
NURSING: RISK FACTORS Q &A
1. Definition, causes, symptoms, and risk factors for the following diseases:
• Cirrhosis: Gradual destruction of liver tissue with loss of function and ultimately
liver failure.
Causes: Chronic alcohol abuse, chronic viral hepatitis (hep. B and C), fat
accumulation in the liver (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease). Alcoholic liver
disease.
• Symptoms: Enlarged liver, anorexia, nausea, jaundice, and edema.
• Risk factor: Alcohol
• Ascites: Buildup of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Decreases circulating fluid.
• Causes: Cirrhosis most common and portal hypertension.
• Symptoms: abdominal distention, weight gain, dyspnea, and peripheral edema.
• Risk factor: Heart failure, infection, and liver failure.
• Portal hypertension: Abnormally high blood pressure in the portal venous
system.
• Causes: Obstruction of blood flow and fibrosis of the liver. It can also lead to
, NR 283: DIGESTIVE OUTLINE STUDY GUIDE
varices and splenomegaly.
• Symptoms: Cirrhosis, heart failure
• Risk factor: Hematemesis and anemia
• Hepatitis: Viral infection of the liver by one or more of the hepatitis virus
group, causing inflammation and necrosis.
• Causes: Hepatitis A (fecal-oral), hepatitis B (blood, STD), and hepatitis C (blood,
STD)
• Symptoms: Increased liver enzymes
• Risk factor: Poor hygiene, unprotected sex, IV drug use.
2. What is the normal function of the gallbladder?
• The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, and then releases it into the
duodenum to help absorb and digest fats.
3. What is cholelithiasis and what causes it? Symptoms?
• Choleithiasis is the formation of gallstones, consisting of cholesterol or
bilirubin, which may obstruct the biliary tract.
• Causes: Impaired metabolism of cholesterol, bilirubin, and bile acids.
• Symptoms: Epigastric pain, heart burn, and food intolerance.
NURSING: RISK FACTORS Q &A
1. Definition, causes, symptoms, and risk factors for the following diseases:
• Cirrhosis: Gradual destruction of liver tissue with loss of function and ultimately
liver failure.
Causes: Chronic alcohol abuse, chronic viral hepatitis (hep. B and C), fat
accumulation in the liver (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease). Alcoholic liver
disease.
• Symptoms: Enlarged liver, anorexia, nausea, jaundice, and edema.
• Risk factor: Alcohol
• Ascites: Buildup of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Decreases circulating fluid.
• Causes: Cirrhosis most common and portal hypertension.
• Symptoms: abdominal distention, weight gain, dyspnea, and peripheral edema.
• Risk factor: Heart failure, infection, and liver failure.
• Portal hypertension: Abnormally high blood pressure in the portal venous
system.
• Causes: Obstruction of blood flow and fibrosis of the liver. It can also lead to
, NR 283: DIGESTIVE OUTLINE STUDY GUIDE
varices and splenomegaly.
• Symptoms: Cirrhosis, heart failure
• Risk factor: Hematemesis and anemia
• Hepatitis: Viral infection of the liver by one or more of the hepatitis virus
group, causing inflammation and necrosis.
• Causes: Hepatitis A (fecal-oral), hepatitis B (blood, STD), and hepatitis C (blood,
STD)
• Symptoms: Increased liver enzymes
• Risk factor: Poor hygiene, unprotected sex, IV drug use.
2. What is the normal function of the gallbladder?
• The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, and then releases it into the
duodenum to help absorb and digest fats.
3. What is cholelithiasis and what causes it? Symptoms?
• Choleithiasis is the formation of gallstones, consisting of cholesterol or
bilirubin, which may obstruct the biliary tract.
• Causes: Impaired metabolism of cholesterol, bilirubin, and bile acids.
• Symptoms: Epigastric pain, heart burn, and food intolerance.
