What it means
Enlarged veins whose walls have stretched. In the esophagus and stomach they form when blood cannot flow easily through a scarred liver (cirrhosissih-ROH-sisLong-term scarring of the liver, in which scar tissue replaces healthy tissue and keeps the liver from working normally.cirrh/o orange-yellow-osis abnormal conditionFull entry ) and the pressure in the portal vein rises, so it backs up into small veins that are not built to carry it. These thin veins can burst and bleed heavily. Varices in the legs are called varicose veins.
For the nurse
In a client with esophageal varices, watch for vomiting blood, black tarry stools, a falling blood pressure and a rising heart rate, and report them at once. Teach the client to avoid alcohol, heavy lifting, straining at stool and drugs such as aspirin and NSAIDs that raise bleeding risk.
In a chart
"History of cirrhosis with esophageal varices; hematemesis of about 300 mL bright red blood; provider at bedside."
At a glance
| Spanish | várices |
|---|---|
| Also written | varix |
Related terms
hemorrhage
A large loss of blood from a blood vessel, inside the body or out of it.
esophagus
The muscular tube that carries food and liquid from the throat to the stomach.
cirrhosis
Long-term scarring of the liver, in which scar tissue replaces healthy tissue and keeps the liver from working normally.