5 Key Nursing Diagnoses for People with Hepatitis C
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Nursing diagnosis
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Plan and outcome
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Nursing interventions
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1. Risk for
infection r/t immunosuppression and secondary defenses
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Reduce transfer of potentially harmful microbes to the
patient from outside sources and from the patient to others
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Encourage effective hand washing
Implement appropriate isolation precautions according to
facility policy
Explain isolation precautions to the patient
Restrict certain visitors, such as young children, to
reduce the patient’s exposure to infectious agents
Administer medications as indicated
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2. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirement r/t
altered absorption and metabolism
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Initiate lifestyle changes to maintain appropriate weight
Show signs of progressive weight gain
Show no signs of malnutrition
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Keep track of calories consumed each day
Suggest eating for frequent small meals
Suggest eating the largest meal for breakfast when
appetite is the greatest
Encourage good oral hygiene before and after meals to
improve the taste of food
Encourage the patient to sit upright, at a table if
possible, for every meal
Tailor the diet to each individual to meet their dietary
needs and tolerance to fats and proteins
Monitor blood glucose
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3. Deficient fluid volume r/t excessive loss from
vomiting/diarrhea
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Maintain adequate hydration
Patient shows no signs of deficient fluid volume including
delayed capillary refill, abnormal vital signs, dry mucous membranes, poor
skin turgor
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Monitor patient intake and output
Monitor patient weight daily
Regularly assess blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen
saturation, respiratory rate, and temperature
Assess peripheral pulses, capillary refill, and skill
turgor for signs of deficient fluid volume
Assess for edema
Provide fluids and electrolytes through oral intake and IV
fluids
Administer medications as ordered
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4. Fatigue r/t change in metabolism and liver function
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Patient is able to complete activities of daily living
with little difficulty
Patient reports feeling more energized
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Promote rest and relaxation by providing a quiet
environment, limiting activity and visitors, and “clustering” care
Provide good skin care to reduce the risk of skin
breakdown
Turn and reposition a patient on bedrest with limited
mobility every 2 hours to prevent skin breakdown
Encourage rest during and in between activities of daily
living
Encourage activity as tolerated including active and
passive range of motion exercises in bed
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5. Risk for impaired skin integrity r/t bile salt
accumulation in the tissue
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Patient’s skin is dry, intact, and shows no redness or
signs of excoriation
Absence of excessive pruritus
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Avoid using harsh soaps to prevent skin irritation
Encourage cool showers and taking a bath with baking soda
to prevent dry skin
Provide distraction from itching
Assess skin frequently for signs of skin breakdown
Provide a pressure-redistribution surface for sleeping or
bedrest patients
Encourage mobilizing frequently
Initiate turns and repositioning every 2 hours
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