[Severe acute liver failure: a case study]

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), also known as fulminant hepatitis, is a rare and extremely serious condition with a high mortality rate. Its rapid evolution and complexity in managing the treatment, creates the need to provide some immediate care by a team that specialises in intensive care. This acute decompensation is usually associated with other disorders, such as coagulopathy and hepatic encephalopathy, being responsible for major complications that can lead to organ failure. In our region the most common origin is unknown, followed by acute infection with hepatitis B. The treatment of this syndrome is based on the general measures applicable to any critically ill patient: treat the cause and early detection of extrahepatic complications, urgent liver transplantation being one of the alternatives with a better prognosis. This article presents a case report describing the monitoring of an Irish woman of 20 years who was transferred from a hospital in Ibiza to a hospital in Barcelona, with a suspected diagnosis of FHF. Following the conceptual model of Virginia Henderson, the collaborative problems and nursing diagnoses are described, presenting a care plan according to NANDA (North American Nursing Association), NIC (Nursing Intervention Classification), NOC (Nursing Outcomes Classification). This case helps to establish an individualised care plan that provides guidance to nurse professionals in critical patient care by increasing the knowledge of FHF.