Medical Surgical Nursing

Pathophysiology

 Several factors have been implicated in the etiology of cirrhosis: alcohol

consumption (is the major causative factor), nutritional deficiency with reduced

protein intake (excessive alcohol intake is the major causative factor in fatty

liver and its consequences .)

 Other factors may play a role, including exposure to certain chemicals (carbon

tetrachloride, chlorinated naphthalene, arsenic, or phosphorus) or infectious

schistosomiasis.

 Twice as many men as women are affected.

 Most patients are between 40 and 60 years of age.

 The destroyed liver cells are replaced gradually by scar tissue; eventually the

amount of scar tissue exceeds that of the functioning liver tissue.

 Islands of residual normal tissue and regenerating liver tissue may project from

the constricted areas, giving the cirrhotic liver its characteristic hobnail

appearance.

Clinical Manifestations

 Signs and symptoms of cirrhosis increase in severity as the disease progresses.

The severity of the manifestations helps to categorize the disorder into two main

presentations

1. Compensated cirrhosis, with its less severe, often vague symptoms, may be

discovered secondarily at a routine physical examination.