Final answer:
Cachexia directly related to malnutrition may predispose a client to secondary immunodeficiency by weakening the body's immune response due to significant weight loss and muscle atrophy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The malnourished condition that may predispose a client to secondary immunodeficiency is cachexia (a). Malnutrition is known to be the most common cause of secondary immunodeficiency worldwide, critically affecting both the innate and adaptive responses of the immune system. Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system as it ensures the production and function of immune cells are at their peak.
When the body is in a state of cachexia, it experiences significant weight loss, muscle atrophy, and fatigue, which can compromise the immune response and lead to immunodeficiency. On the other hand, options b (cirrhosis), c (diabetes mellitus), and e (lymphoma) can be associated with secondary immunodeficiencies but are not primarily malnourished conditions. Option d (Hodgkin lymphoma) can lead to immunodeficiency due to the malignancy itself rather than malnutrition. Therefore, cachexia stands out as the condition most directly related to malnutrition that can lead to secondary immunodeficiency.