Hepatitis C: A Case Study

673 Words2 Pages

Patient education is closely related to the long term consequences of liver failure and what the patient can do to ensure continued health. Hepatitis C is spread through the transmission of tainted blood, through blood transfusions with infected blood, sharing of infected needles, hemodialysis, and unsafe sex. Other methods of infection include and any means where blood to blood crossing occurs such as sharing swabs or spoons. (Lewis et al, 2010, p.1166). The easiest way to prevent the spread of hepatitis C is to know who is infected and take all precautions necessary to prevent the spread from this individual such as the use of the sharps container, insist on a clean needle for tattoos or piercings.
The easiest preventative measure is to ensure that when dealing with blood of infected patients universal precautions are taken such as wearing appropriate gowns, masks, and gloves to prevent …show more content…

A diet low in sodium will help to reduce fluid buildup from complications of ascites, or fluid retention in the pleural spaces. Medications such as lactulose will help remove toxins from body that liver no longer does, nausea and stomach discomfort are among the side effects. Also nutrition should be addressed due to effects of diarrhea with fluid and nutrient loss. Pantoprazole, and acid reflux inhibitor, also has side effects of diarrhea so dietary and nutritional concerns need to be addressed. Furosemide, a diuretic, may cause a drop in blood pressure upon standing, stand slowly wait until blood pressure is restored before moving. Propranolol, a hypertensive medication, can cause heart attack if suddenly stopped, important to consult a physician before stopping medication. Spironolactone, water pill, may impair thinking and concentration and is to be used in extreme caution with cirrhosis, inform doctor of any side effects that present as there are many usual

More about Hepatitis C: A Case Study

Open Document