You’re reviewing a care plan and see “Hepatitis C” listed in a resident’s medical history, or perhaps you’re helping a resident whose eyes look distinctly yellow. Understanding hepatitis is essential for protecting yourself from infection and ensuring your residents get the supportive care they need for liver health.
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis (hep-ah-TY-tis) is a medical term meaning inflammation of the liver. The liver is a vital organ that filters blood and fights infection. While it can be caused by alcohol or toxins, CNAs most often encounter the viral types: Hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis A is usually spread through contaminated food or water, while Hepatitis B and C are spread through contact with infected blood.
Why Hepatitis Matters in Your Daily Care
Your role is critical in two areas: preventing transmission and spotting symptoms. Because Hepatitis B and C are bloodborne pathogens, strict adherence to infection control protects you and other residents. Additionally, the liver is a resilient organ, so damage often goes unnoticed until it’s severe. Recognizing early signs—like jaundice or confusion—allows the nurse to intervene before the resident’s condition worsens.
What You’ll See During Your Shift
Depending on the type, you might see nothing obvious, or you may spot jaundice, a yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes. You might also notice dark-colored urine, pale stools, extreme fatigue, or abdominal pain. In later stages, a condition called hepatic encephalopathy can cause confusion or sleepiness.
“Nurse, I noticed Mr. Henderson seems very confused this morning, which isn’t like him. I also saw that the whites of his eyes look yellow. His urine in the commode was very dark brown.”
Common Pitfall & Pro Tip
⚠️ Pitfall: Assuming you can catch Hepatitis B or C by touching a resident or sharing a fork. These types are not spread through casual contact, food, or sneezing—only through blood.
Pro Tip: Treat all blood and body fluids as if they are infectious. You don’t need to know a resident’s specific hepatitis status to be safe; you just need to use Standard Precautions consistently with everyone. This is especially important when handling sharps or doing peri-care.
Memory Aid for Hepatitis
Remember the transmission routes with: “A is for Anal/Eating (Fecal-Oral), B is for Blood.”
Hepatitis C is also bloodborne. If you see “A,” think food poisoning and handwashing. If you see “B or C,” think needles, blood, and gloves.
State Test Connection
Expect questions on Standard Precautions and how to handle equipment contaminated with blood. You may also be tested on recognizing jaundice as an abnormal sign to report immediately.
Related Care Concepts
This connects directly to Standard Precautions (your safety net), Sharps Safety (never recapping needles), and Bowel and Bladder elimination (changes in stool/urine color). It also relates to Infection Control regarding cleaning spills with a bleach solution.
Quick Reference
✓ Key signs to look for: Yellowing of skin/eyes (jaundice), dark urine, pale stools, unusual fatigue, confusion ✓ When to report: Any signs of jaundice, sudden changes in mental status, or dark urine immediately ✓ Care reminders: • Wear gloves for any contact with blood or body fluids • Wash hands thoroughly before and after eating/feeding (especially for Hep A) • Never recap needles; dispose of sharps properly in designated containers • Follow dietary restrictions (often low sodium) as ordered by the nurse
Bottom line: Whether it’s preventing the spread of infection or spotting the subtle yellow tint of jaundice, your vigilance with liver health protects the whole unit.