Final answer:
Crackles in the lungs are an expected manifestation in a client with left-sided heart failure due to pulmonary edema, which is caused by fluid backup in the pulmonary circulation from the left ventricle's inability to pump effectively (option c).
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse assessing a client with left-sided heart failure should expect to find certain clinical manifestations that are characteristic of this condition. One of the key symptoms is pulmonary edema, which is the result of fluid getting "backed up" in the lungs due to the inability of the left ventricle to pump sufficient blood into the systemic circulation. This leads to a build-up of pressure in the pulmonary capillaries and the subsequent leakage of fluid into the lung tissues. Consequently, one of the common findings in a client with left-sided heart failure would be crackles in the lungs, which arise due to this fluid accumulation.
Symptoms like peripheral edema, jugular vein distention, and ascites are more commonly associated with right-sided heart failure, which affects the systemic circulation. In contrast, left-sided heart failure primarily affects the pulmonary circulation, causing respiratory-related symptoms such as difficulty breathing, hypoxemia, and chest pain. Therefore, the correct option in the question would be the one indicating crackles in the lungs, which are an audible indication of pulmonary edema.
Hence, the answer is option C.