Role of the nurse in managing patients with hepatic cerebral oedema.
Acute liver failure occurs abruptly often without pre-existing liver disease being present. Management comprises support of the patient and treatment of symptoms until recovery or transplantation can occur. Cerebral oedema is one of the recognized complications of acute liver failure with a mortality rate of 30-50% when it occurs. Effective supportive nursing management includes use of sedative agents, positioning and thermoregulation if the patient is to recover or be optimized for transplantation.