Liver failure occurs when the liver is severely damaged and cannot function properly. There are several types defined by how quickly liver function deteriorates. Causes include hepatitis, alcohol abuse, and acetaminophen overdose. Symptoms range from nausea and fatigue to jaundice and confusion. Diagnostic tests include blood tests, biopsies and imaging scans. Treatment depends on the underlying cause but may include medications to reverse toxins, procedures to reduce brain swelling, screening for infections, blood transfusions, and liver transplantation in severe cases.

1. By
Kanchan Devi
Assistant Professor
SCPM college of nursing Gonda

2. 
Liver failure is an uncommon condition in which rapid
deterioration of liver function results in coagulopathy
and alteration in the mental status( encephalopathy).
Liver failure indicates that liver has sustained injury
Introduction

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 FULMINANT HEPATIC FAILURE -
Encephalopathy starts within 8 weeks
 ACUTE LIVER FAILURE -(ALF) is a rare condition
characterized by the abrupt onset of severe liver
injury.
 LATE ONSET HEPATIC FAILURE – subacute FHF
 CHRONIC DECOMPENSATED HEPATIC
FAILURE – over six month latent period
TYPES OF LIVER FAILURE

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 Large part of liver damaged beyond repair and liver
no longer able to work
 Hepatitis B, C
 Long term alcohol consumption
 Cirrhosis of liver
 Malnutrition
 Acetaminophen
 Ingestion of poison
 Hepatocellular carcinoma
Causes and risk factor

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Early symptoms
 Nausea
 Loss of appetite
 Fatigue
 Diarrhea
Urgent treatment
 Jaundice
 Bleeding
 easily Swollen abdomen
 Mental disorientation or confusion (known as hepatic
encephalopathy)
 Sleepiness
 Coma
Clinical manifestation

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 Blood test
 Liver tissue biopsy
 Doppler ultrasound
 CT scan
 MRI
 Electroencephalography
Diagnostic Evaluation

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Acute liver failure treatments may include:
1. Medications to reverse poisoning:
 Liver failure caused by acetaminophen overdose
mushroom poisoning is treated with drugs that can
reverse the effects of the toxin.
 Antidotes such as penicillin G, activated charcoal,
N-acetylcysteine neutralize toxic agents and
neutralize or counteract any form of poisoning.
 Hemodialysis can be used to remove toxins from the
body.
Management

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2. Relieving excess fluid in the brain:
 Cerebral edema caused by liver failure can increase
pressure on brain.
 Osmnotic diuretics such as mannitol can help reduce
the fluid buildup in brain.
 Administration of intravenous mannitol (in a bolus
dose of 0.5-1 g/kg or 50-100 g) is recommended to
treat cerebral edema in liver failure
Cont….

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3. Screening for infections:
 periodic samples of blood and urine to be tested for
signs of infection.
 If suspects an infection, patient receives antibiotic
medications to treat the infection
4. If patient lost lots of blood than blood transfusion
needed
Cont….

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 Liver transplant
Replace damage liver with healthy liver
Surgical management

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Thank you