Description
Objectives:
1. Brief review of the anatomy and physiology of the liver.
2. Identify priorities in the nursing physical assessment of liver failure patients.
3. Review the major causes of acute liver failure, including drug induced liver injury; infections, toxins, vascular ischemic injury; and pregnancy related HELLP Syndrome.
4. Review the major causes of chronic liver failure and end stage liver disease; metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD formerly known as NAFLD/NASH); chronic viral hepatitis; and autoimmune and genetic orders disorders such as Wilson’s disease, PBC, etc.
5. Identify the appropriate lab tests in liver failure: INR/PT, albumin, ALT, AST, ALP; and the markers that indicate complications: serum ammonia in hepatic encephalopathy; creatinine and BUN in hepatorenal syndrome; platelets and glucose; and imaging tests.
Description:
As liver disease rates rise across Canada, nursing and allied health professionals must be equipped to manage increasingly complex hepatic crises. This evidence-based session moves beyond basic pathophysiology to explore of acute and chronic liver failure, from early changes to the onset of life-threatening complications. Participants will gain insight to interpreting diagnostic trends, anticipate imaging and understand current treatment objectives. Join us to enhance your clinical judgment, refine your assessment skills, and improve nursing outcomes for this high-acuity patient population through proactive nursing care.
Who Should Attend?:
• Medical and Surgical Nurses ER, OR & ICU Critical Care Nurses
• Nurses in Day Surgery, Endoscopy, Peri-Operative, & Pre-Admission Settings
• Nurses in Cancer Clinic, Enterostomal Therapy, & Occupational Health Settings
• Geriatric & Home Care Nurses
• Nurse Practitioners, Primary Health & Tele-Health Nurses; Nurse Educators
• Infection Control Practitioners
Barb Bancroft, RN, MSN, PNP
Barb Bancroft is a widely acclaimed nursing teacher who has taught courses on Advanced Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Physical Assessment to both graduate and undergraduate students. Also certified as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, she has held faculty positions at the University of Virginia, the University of Arkansas, Loyola University of Chicago, and St. Xavier University of Chicago. Barb is known for her extensive knowledge of pathophysiology and as one of the most dynamic nursing speakers in North America today. Delivering her material with equal parts of evidence based practise, practical application, and humour, she has taught numerous seminars on clinical and health maintenance topics to healthcare professionals, including the Association for Practitioners for Infection Control, The Emergency Nurses’ Association, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and more.
