Question

Which assessment would the nurse expect to find in the client with cirrhosis?

1) Jaundice
2) Ascites
3) Hepatic encephalopathy
4) Hypertension
5) Hypotension

Answer 1

A nurse would expect to find jaundice, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy in a client with cirrhosis, as they are common complications of liver dysfunction and signify advanced liver disease.

Step-by-step explanation:

In clients with cirrhosis, a nurse would expect to find a variety of symptoms due to the progressive loss of liver function. Common assessments would include:

• Jaundice: This is a condition where there is yellowing of the skin and eyes due to high levels of bilirubin in the blood. It can be caused by obstructive jaundice or hepatic jaundice, which are both related to liver dysfunction.
• Ascites: The accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity is a common complication of cirrhosis and signifies advanced liver disease.
• Hepatic encephalopathy: This is a serious condition resulting from liver failure that can cause neuropsychiatric abnormalities like confusion or altered level of consciousness.

Hypertension and hypotension may be present, but they are not as specific to cirrhosis as the above-mentioned assessments. However, hepatorenal syndrome, a type of potentially reversible kidney failure seen in advanced cirrhosis, could lead to hypotension.