2225 Liver Alterations

In this episode of Nursing Student Deep Dive, we take a deep look at the liver and what happens when one of the body’s most important metabolic organs begins to fail. Rather than memorizing disconnected symptoms, this episode connects liver anatomy and physiology to the clinical findings nurses see in patients with hepatitis, cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and decompensated liver disease. Topics include the liver’s major functions, fibrosis and cirrhosis, compensated versus decompensated disease, hepatitis A through E, alcohol-associated liver disease, metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease, jaundice, portal hypertension, esophageal varices, ascites, thrombocytopenia, hepatic encephalopathy, hyponatremia, and key liver function tests. This episode is designed to help nursing students understand how liver failure becomes a true multisystem emergency. We focus on recognizing dangerous complications early, connecting lab abnormalities to the underlying physiology, and prioritizing nursing interventions for bleeding, fluid overload, neurological changes, and respiratory compromise.