What are the nursing methods for cirrhosis?

For patients with cirrhosis, care in life is as important as treatment, because only correct care can achieve the goal of rapid treatment. Patients should focus on getting more rest, try to participate in some light activities, and eat mainly high-calorie, high-protein, easily digestible foods.

1. General care:

① Rest: During the compensatory period, patients can engage in moderate activities and take part in light work. During the decompensatory period or those with complications, bed rest is the main approach.

② Diet: It is advisable to give high-calorie, high-protein, high-vitamin easily digestible diet, but patients in the decompensated stage, especially those with severe liver damage or precursors of hepatic encephalopathy, should control or abstain from protein; those with ascites should limit salt; abstain from alcohol and liver-damaging drugs, and avoid eating rough and hard foods.

③ Strengthen patients’ psychological adjustment and support.

2. Nursing of ascites:

① Place the patient in a resting position. If the amount of ascites is small, the patient can be placed in a supine position. If the amount of ascites is large, the patient can be placed in a semi-recumbent position.

② Limit the intake of sodium and water, record the fluid intake and output daily, and regularly measure and record abdominal circumference and weight.

③ Use diuretics and plasma and albumin correctly as prescribed by the doctor, and monitor serum electrolytes.

④ For patients undergoing abdominal puncture to drain ascites, assistance should be provided in preoperative preparation, manual cooperation, and postoperative care.

⑤ For patients receiving ascites concentrated fluid reinfusion treatment, the patient's reactions during and after the reinfusion should be observed.

3. The patient's condition should be closely monitored:

① Improvement in nutritional status and disappearance of ascites.

② Whether there is a tendency for spontaneous bleeding.

③ Check whether the skin and mucous membranes are yellow and the urine color changes.

① Changes in vomitus and stool color, blood pressure and pulse.

② Whether there are any personality and behavioral changes.

③ Urine volume, urine routine, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels.

④ Whether there are any symptoms of secondary infection such as fever.

⑤ When receiving diuretics and paracentesis, monitor serum electrolytes and acid-base levels.

⑥ Enlarged liver and pain in the liver area.