My cirrhosis monitoring plan
Content date: 10 November 2026
Complete this with your doctor and, if helpful, your family. It organizes follow-up; it does not authorize you to adjust diuretics or lactulose yourself.
Cause of liver disease: ........................ | Plan date: ................
Treating team: ........................ | Support person, if wanted: ................
1 · What should I monitor at home?
The team will select what you need. If daily weight is requested, use the same scale at a similar time. Watch for increasing abdominal size or leg swelling, urine changes, and changes in awareness or sleep.
| Measurement | My plan and threshold for prompt assessment |
|---|---|
| Usual weight / how often to weigh | ................................ |
| Weight gain or loss over an agreed period | ................................ |
| Other limits set by the doctor | ................................ |
Do not wait to reach a number if warning signs appear. Rapidly increasing abdominal or leg swelling, or difficulty eating, needs early review.
2 · Medicines, food and fluids
If lactulose is prescribed: target stool consistency and frequency: ........................
Team’s instructions for constipation or severe diarrhea: ........................
Sodium plan, if needed: ........................
Is fluid restriction necessary? □ No □ Yes, as prescribed: ................
Nutrition and bedtime snack plan: ................................
Do not alter diuretic or lactulose doses without individual instructions. Severe diarrhea can cause dehydration. Do not restrict fluids or cut out protein yourself, or start painkillers, sleeping medicines or herbs without checking.
3 · Tests and appointments
| What do I need? | Date | Who reviews the result, and when? |
|---|---|---|
| Liver, kidney and electrolyte tests as planned | ............ | ........................ |
| Liver imaging and AFP if prescribed | ............ | ........................ |
| Varices review or endoscopy if needed | ............ | ........................ |
| Liver / nutrition / vaccination review | ............ | ........................ |
Liver cancer surveillance is usually every 6 months for those in a surveillance program. Record your specific appointment; feeling well does not replace it.
4 · Short monitoring record
| Date / weight | Swelling / urine / stools | Awareness / sleep / notes |
|---|---|---|
| ................ | ........................ | ........................ |
| ................ | ........................ | ........................ |
Vomiting blood or black, tarry stools; new confusion or unusual drowsiness; fever or abdominal pain with ascites; markedly reduced urine; fainting or breathlessness. A confused person must not drive. Do not wait for a message reply.
For appointments, results and questions about your treatment plan, use your healthcare facility’s official contact channel shown in your appointment message or visit report. Seek prompt assessment for urgent problems; if timely assessment is unavailable, go to emergency care. In an emergency, go to the emergency department immediately and do not wait for a message reply.
Plan review date: ................ | I can explain the warning signs: □
Guides for your care journey
Read the related guides together:
Related guides
My treatment and follow-up plan
Ascites: abdominal fluid and drainage
Hepatic encephalopathy: confusion and altered awareness