Patient Education: Jaundice 

What It Is

Jaundice is when your skin, the whites of your eyes, and sometimes inside your mouth turn yellow.
It happens because too much bilirubin (a yellow substance from old red blood cells) builds up in your blood.

Causes and Risk Factors

Jaundice is not a disease itself — it’s a sign of another problem.
It can be caused by:

• Liver problems like hepatitis or cirrhosis
  
  

• Blocked bile ducts from gallstones or tumors
  
  

• Blood problems like sickle cell anemia or rapid breakdown of red blood cells
  
  

• Newborn issues (in babies, it’s common but must be watched)
  
  

Risk factors include:

• Heavy alcohol use
  
  

• Certain medicines that harm the liver
  
  

• Viral infections (like hepatitis A, B, or C)
  
  

• Family history of liver disease
  
  

• Eating raw or undercooked shellfish from unsafe water
  
  

Signs and Symptoms

Early warning signs:

• Yellow skin or eyes
  
  

• Dark urine (tea-colored)
  
  

• Pale or clay-colored stools
  
  

Other symptoms:

• Itching all over the body
  
  

• Tiredness or weakness
  
  

• Stomach pain or swelling
  
  

• Fever (sometimes)
  
  

• Nausea or vomiting
  
  

Complications if Untreated or Patient Does Not Follow Instructions

• Liver damage or failure
  
  

• Brain damage from high bilirubin (hepatic encephalopathy)
  
  

• Long-term digestive problems
  
  

• Severe infection (sepsis) if cause is untreated
  
  

• Death in extreme cases
  
  

Treatment and Self-Care Measures

Treatment depends on the cause:

• Liver disease – medicines, rest, no alcohol, healthy eating
  
  

• Blocked bile duct – surgery or special procedures
  
  

• Infection – antibiotics or antivirals
  
  

• Blood disorders – medicines or transfusions
  
  

Self-care:

• Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly
  
  

• Avoid alcohol completely
  
  

• Drink plenty of water
  
  

• Eat small, healthy meals
  
  

Common Types of Medications

(These are examples — your doctor will decide what is best)

• Antivirals – fight viruses (possible side effects: nausea, headache)
  
  

• Antibiotics – fight infections (possible side effects: diarrhea, rash)
  
  

• Steroids – reduce swelling (possible side effects: weight gain, mood changes)
  
  

• Bile acid medicines – help with itching (possible side effects: stomach upset)
  
  

Dietary Needs and Lifestyle Changes

• Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean protein
  
  

• Avoid fatty, greasy, or fried foods
  
  

• Do not drink alcohol at all
  
  

• Avoid raw shellfish
  
  

• Maintain a healthy weight
  
  

• Get vaccinated for hepatitis if recommended
  
  

Safety Considerations

• Report new symptoms right away
  
  

• Do not stop medicines without talking to your doctor
  
  

• Be careful with over-the-counter pain medicines — some can harm your liver
  
  

• Avoid contact with blood or body fluids of others
  
  

Prevention and Maintenance

• Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B
  
  

• Wash hands often, especially before eating
  
  

• Avoid sharing needles, razors, toothbrushes
  
  

• Limit alcohol or avoid it
  
  

• Eat a healthy diet to protect the liver
  
  

When to Call for Help

Call your Home Health Agency or Doctor if:

• Yellow skin or eyes gets worse
  
  

• You feel very tired or weak
  
  

• You have stomach pain or swelling
  
  

• You have fever or chills
  
  

• You notice changes in urine or stool color
  
  

Call 911 or go to the Emergency Room if:

• You are confused or very sleepy (possible liver failure)
  
  

• You have sudden, severe stomach pain
  
  

• You vomit blood or have black, tarry stools
  
  

• You have trouble breathing
  
  

© 2025 Judith Regan / K.N.O.W. – Knowledge for Nurturing Optimal Well-Being. All rights reserved. | Educational use only | Not a substitute for medical advice | In emergencies call 911

PATIENT HOMEWORK/ASSESSMENT

Jaundice: True/False Worksheet

Circle True or False for each statement.

1. Jaundice is when the skin and eyes turn yellow from high bilirubin.
   
   

   • True / False
     
     

2. Jaundice is a disease by itself.
   
   

   • True / False
     
     

3. Liver disease, blocked bile ducts, or blood problems can cause jaundice.
   
   

   • True / False
     
     

4. Dark urine and pale stools can be early signs of jaundice.
   
   

   • True / False
     
     

5. Drinking alcohol can help the liver heal.
   
   

   • True / False
     
     

6. Untreated jaundice can cause liver failure or brain damage.
   
   

   • True / False
     
     

7. Antivirals and antibiotics may be used depending on the cause.
   
   

   • True / False
     
     

8. It’s safe to eat raw shellfish when you have liver disease.
   
   

   • True / False
     
     

9. Itching all over the body can be a symptom of jaundice.
   
   

   • True / False
     
     

10. You can stop your medicine if you feel better without telling your doctor.
    
    

• True / False
  
  

11. Some pain medicines can harm the liver and should be avoided.
    
    

• True / False
  
  

12. Hepatitis vaccines can help prevent some causes of jaundice.
    
    

• True / False
  
  

13. You should eat fatty and fried foods to give your body more energy.
    
    

• True / False
  
  

14. Avoiding alcohol is important for liver health.
    
    

• True / False
  
  

15. A blocked bile duct may need surgery or other procedures.
    
    

• True / False
  
  

16. Jaundice only affects the skin color and is never dangerous.
    
    

• True / False
  
  

17. Call your doctor if yellow skin or eyes gets worse.
    
    

• True / False
  
  

18. Go to the ER if you vomit blood or are confused.
    
    

• True / False
  
  

19. Washing hands has no effect on preventing liver infections.
    
    

• True / False
  
  

20. Staying at a healthy weight helps protect your liver.
    
    

• True / False
  
  
  

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Individualized Patient Questions

These help make the education personal to the patient’s situation:

1. Which labs/tests should you know for your condition?
   (Examples: Liver function tests – ALT, AST, bilirubin; complete blood count; hepatitis screening. Ask the patient to list their recent results and what they mean.)
   
   

2. What is your most recent total bilirubin level, and what range did your doctor say is normal for you?
   
   

3. What medications are you taking to help treat your jaundice or its cause?
   (List the name, dose, and when you take them.)
   
   

4. Do you know which foods and drinks you should avoid to protect your liver? Please list them.
   
   

5. If your symptoms suddenly get worse, what steps will you take and who will you contact first?
   
   

© 2025 Judith Regan / K.N.O.W. – Knowledge for Nurturing Optimal Well-Being. All rights reserved. | Educational use only | Not a substitute for medical advice | In emergencies call 911