Signs and Symptoms of Liver Failure
University of Kansas School of Nursing
Signs and Symptoms of Liver Failure
Liver failure disrupts most of the body's functions. Listed below are the
major disorders caused by liver failure.
General:
...Weakness
...Anorexia
...Weight loss
...Abdominal discomfort
Hematologic:
...Bruising
...Epistaxis
...Petechiae
...Thrombocytopenia
...Anemia
...Decreased fibrinogen activity
Cardiovascular:
...Flushed skin
...Hypo- or hypertension
...Dysrhythmias
...Bounding pulses
...Spider angiomata
Respiratory:
...Pleural effusion
...Hypoxia
...Decreased lung expansion
Fluids & Electrolytes:
...Ascites
...Hypokalemia
...Hypocalcemia
...Hypomagnesemia
...Dilutional hyponatremia
...Hyperammonemia
Gastrointestinal:
...Rectal varices
...Esophageal varices
...Fetor hepaticus
...Clay-colored stools
Dermatologic:
...Jaundice
...Palmar erythema
...Pruritus (itching)
...Vascular spiders
Renal:
...Decreased renal perfusion
...Brown urine
...Decreased renal output
...Increased urine bilirubin and urobilinogen
Endocrine:
...Gynecomastia
...Female escutcheon
...Testicular atrophy
Neurologic:
...Personality changes
...Disorientation
...Sensory alterations
...Asterixis
...Peripheral nerve degeneration
...Coma
...Kernicterus (in neonates)
Laboratory values:
...Elevated AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, PT, PTT
...Increased or decreased BUN
...Decreased platelets, serum albumin & protein
Immunologic:
...Increased susceptibility to infections
...Decreased WBC phagocytic activity
http://www2.kumc.edu/instruction/nursing/n420/unit10/S&S%20liverf%20ail.htm