Nursing Care

Nursing care for patient with cirrhosis:

• Avoid infection 
• Avoid circulatory problem.
• Turn patient and encourage coughing and deep breathing every 2 hours to prevent pneumonia
• Bleeding can occur for cirrhosis, monitor the patient closely for signs of hypovolemia
• Test any stool and emesis for blood
• Monitor closely for any skin breakdown for any increased bleeding
• Apply pressure to injection sites
• Warn the patient against straining at stool, blowing nose too vigorously
• Suggest the patient use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor
• Teach patient to balance activities and rest
• Use a measuring tape to measure around the abdomen 
• Strict intake and output

Emotional care for patient with cirrhosis:

• Encourage the patient to verbalize question, anxieties, and fear
• Note any behavior or personality change
• Support for the patient and family are important to eliminate anxiety and poor self-esteem
• Involve the family members in the patient's care as a means of improving the patient's morale

Resources for patient:

•  American Liver Foundation
•  http://www.liverfoundation.org/abouttheliver/info/cirrhosis/
• Liver Cirrhosis: Toolkit for patient
• http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/Hepatology/CirrhosisToolkit.pdf 

References:
Liver Disease Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What is liver disease? (Continued) - MedicineNet. (2014, July 7). Retrieved April 8, 2015, from 
           http://www.medicinenet.com/liver_disease/page3.htm

Cirrhosis. (2014, August 16). Retrieved April 8, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cirrhosis/basics/definition/con-20031617

Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis. (2015, February 6). Retrieved April 8, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/liver-disease.htm