Hepatic abscess is a pus-filled cyst in the liver caused most commonly by bacterial infection spreading from the bile ducts or portal vein. Common symptoms include fever, pain, chills, and right upper quadrant discomfort. Diagnosis is typically made through ultrasound, CT scan, or blood tests. Treatment involves antibiotics such as cephalosporin and metronidazole. For large abscesses, ultrasound-guided needle aspiration may be used. Complications can include lung or abdominal inflammation if the abscess ruptures.

1. SUBJECT: AHN-1
TOPIC: Hepatic abscess
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2. Hepatic abscess
Definition : Pus-filled cyst inside the liver is termed as
liver abscess.
Now what is pus???
So it is yellowish or greenish colour fluid containing
dead WBCs ,living and dead bacteria as well as
fragments of dead tissues.
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Etiology
• Bacterial, parasitic, or fungal in origin.
• 85% to 90% bacterial or pyogenic.
Bacteria access the liver via the biliary tree or portal
vein.
Other causes include
• biliary obstruction,
• diverticulitis,
• trauma,
• inflammatory bowel disease,

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Clinical Features of abscess
Fever
Pain
Chills
Rigor
Right upper quadrant
discomfort
Diarrhea
weight loss
Intercostal tenderness
Vomiting
Nausea
anorexia

5. 5
X-ray
LFTs
Ultrasound
CT-scan
Stool R/E
Blood test
Investigations

6. 6
CT scan showing liver abscess
The abscess is shown
as a darker area in
the liver shadow

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8. Treatment
Medical Rx:
 medications prescribed are;
Cephalosporin.
Tetracycline.
Metranidazole.
Chloroquinine.
Heparsulphur.
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Complications:
Pneumonitis(inflammation of lungs wall.)
Pleural effusion
Rupture of the liver abscess into the pleural cavity - causing
empyema(pus in the pleural cavity
Peritonitis.
sepsis

10. Surgical Rx
Repeated ultrasounds guided needle
aspiration is performed.
For this purpose a 16G LP or 14F I/V canola
needle is used.
Lignocane is used for local anesthesia.
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11. .Nursing diagnosis
Acute pain related to tissue
destruction.
Impaired nutrition less than the
body requirement.
Anxiety related to the disease.
Nursing interventions
Give analgesic to relieve the pain.
Change his position accordingly
and ensure environmental
comfort.
Give him snakes instead of large
meal as well as balanced diet as
well as encourage the patient for
intake of balanced diet.
Assist the patient psychologically.
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