Question

Nursing Skill/Concept: Laboratory Test Procedure Name: Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Name: Date: Indications (Symptoms Pl. may be displaying) Nursing Interventions Potential Complications Outcomes/Evaluations Patient Education

Answer 1

AST test is done in patients with liver damage or disease. AST is predominantly found in liver and also in muscles. It is released in blood stream if there is a liver related issue.

Indications;

If patient experiences

• Vomitting
• jaundice
• tiredness
• weight loss
• muscle pain
• swelling in abdomen
• swelling in legs etc
• itching
• Dark colored urine

Nursing interventions

Nurse should read the values and treat accordingly. High values indicates liver damage . Normal range is 10 to 40 unots per liter. If it increases to 3 to 4 times then it indicates high.

To advice patient on high fiber diet, coffee intake, weight loss, folic acid intake, avoid smoking, alcohol, exercising, reduce cholesterol levels etc

Complications:

May lead to Cirrhosis, hepatitis, mononucleosis etc

also predictive of cancer,

Evaluations:

To monitor liver disease progression

To monitor the effect of medication

To monitor liver when other disease are present.