Final answer:
A child with chronic hepatitis who develops cirrhosis would likely experience jaundice as a symptom.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a child with chronic hepatitis develops cirrhosis, the nurse would expect to assess jaundice. Jaundice is characterized by the yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera of the eyes.
Cirrhosis is a late stage liver disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, disrupting the normal functioning of the liver. As a result, the liver is unable to process bilirubin effectively, leading to the buildup of bilirubin in the body and causing jaundice.
Other possible symptoms of cirrhosis include fatigue, weight loss, fluid retention in the abdomen (ascites), and increased risk of infections. However, the nurse would specifically expect to assess jaundice in this scenario.