Hepatitis — NCLEX Cheat Sheet
A/E fecal-oral, B/C/D bloodAlso known as: liver infection · liver inflammation · hep A · hep B · hep C · viral hepatitis
Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Hepatitis on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
🩺📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet
📌 Types
- A & E: fecal-oral, acute
- B, C, D: blood/body fluids
- C = #1 chronic, cirrhosis risk
🩺 Signs
- jaundice, dark urine, clay stool
- RUQ pain, fatigue, anorexia, N/V
- ↑ALT ↑AST ↑bilirubin
🚩 Report
- bleeding, confusion → liver failure
- asterixis → encephalopathy
✅ Do
- rest, ↑cal, low-fat, small meals
- no ETOH, no acetaminophen
- A & B vaccines exist (prevent)
- standard precautions, no sharing
📚 Hepatitis — full study notes
The cheat sheet above is your quick recall card. These notes go deeper — what it is, what to do first, what must be reported, and what to teach.
Key points
Understand these first- Hepatitis A and E are transmitted fecal-orally; B, C, and D are bloodborne and through body fluids.
- The icteric phase brings jaundice, dark urine, clay-colored stools, and pruritus.
- The prodromal (preicteric) phase causes fatigue, anorexia, nausea, low-grade fever, and right upper quadrant discomfort.
- Liver enzymes ALT and AST are markedly elevated, reflecting hepatocyte injury.
- Hepatitis B and C can become chronic and progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Vaccines exist for hepatitis A and B; there is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
Nursing priorities
What to do, in order- Promote rest to reduce metabolic demand on the liver and conserve energy.
- Provide a high-calorie, balanced diet with adequate nutrition, given in small frequent meals.
- Implement appropriate transmission precautions based on hepatitis type (standard plus contact for fecal-oral).
- Avoid hepatotoxic substances including alcohol and acetaminophen.
- Educate on transmission prevention, including hand hygiene and not sharing needles or personal items.
Red flags — report now
Escalate immediately- Worsening confusion or asterixis may indicate progression to hepatic encephalopathy and liver failure.
- Bleeding, bruising, or prolonged clotting times signal impaired liver synthetic function.
- Severe or rapidly worsening jaundice with mental status changes requires urgent evaluation.
Labs & values
Numbers to know- ALT: 7-56 U/L (markedly elevated)
- AST: 10-40 U/L (markedly elevated)
- Total bilirubin: 0.3-1.0 mg/dL (elevated)
Patient teaching
What patients must know- Avoid alcohol and hepatotoxic medications such as excess acetaminophen during recovery.
- Practice strict hand hygiene; do not share needles, razors, or toothbrushes to prevent spread.
- Get hepatitis A and B vaccines as recommended and complete the full series.
❓ Hepatitis: NCLEX FAQs
What are the priority nursing interventions for Hepatitis?
Promote rest to reduce metabolic demand on the liver and conserve energy. Provide a high-calorie, balanced diet with adequate nutrition, given in small frequent meals. Implement appropriate transmission precautions based on hepatitis type (standard plus contact for fecal-oral). Avoid hepatotoxic substances including alcohol and acetaminophen.
What are the warning signs of Hepatitis a nurse must report?
Worsening confusion or asterixis may indicate progression to hepatic encephalopathy and liver failure. Bleeding, bruising, or prolonged clotting times signal impaired liver synthetic function. Severe or rapidly worsening jaundice with mental status changes requires urgent evaluation.
What do I need to know about Hepatitis for the NCLEX?
Hepatitis A and E are transmitted fecal-orally; B, C, and D are bloodborne and through body fluids. The icteric phase brings jaundice, dark urine, clay-colored stools, and pruritus. The prodromal (preicteric) phase causes fatigue, anorexia, nausea, low-grade fever, and right upper quadrant discomfort. Liver enzymes ALT and AST are markedly elevated, reflecting hepatocyte injury.
What patient teaching is important for Hepatitis?
Avoid alcohol and hepatotoxic medications such as excess acetaminophen during recovery. Practice strict hand hygiene; do not share needles, razors, or toothbrushes to prevent spread. Get hepatitis A and B vaccines as recommended and complete the full series.
Quick Tip
Hepatitis A and E are transmitted fecal-orally; B, C, and D are bloodborne and through body fluids.
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