Final answer:
The bloating of the abdomen in a patient with advanced cirrhosis, termed ascites, is due to liver dysfunction and subsequent fluid accumulation. Ascites is a major complication of cirrhosis, indicating advanced liver damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct response to the patient with advanced cirrhosis who asks why his abdomen is so bloated is C. It's due to liver dysfunction causing fluid accumulation. This condition is known as ascites, and it is a common complication of cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the formation of fibrous tissue in the liver, replacing dead liver cells that can occur due to various factors, including excessive alcohol intake, hepatitis B or C, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The liver's damage impairs its ability to handle fluids, leading to fluid retention and hypervolemia in the abdominal cavity.
While ascites is associated with poor quality of life and increased risk of infection, it is generally a sign of advanced liver disease and not a normal sign of aging, a result of dehydration, or merely a side effect of medication. If cirrhosis progresses significantly, a liver transplant may be the only option.