Question

The physician has diagnosed a client with cirrhosis characterized by asterixis. If the nurse assesses the client with asterixis, he can expect to find:

Irregular movement of the wrist
Enlargement of the breasts
Dilated veins around the umbilicus
Redness of the palmar surfaces

Answer 1

The nurse assessing a client with cirrhosis characterized by asterixis should look for a tremor where the hands rapidly flex and extend when outstretched, instead of redness of the palmar surfaces. Jaundice and ascites are also commonly associated with cirrhosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client diagnosed with cirrhosis and characterized by asterixis will not exhibit redness of the palmar surfaces; instead, the nurse can expect to find asterixis, which is a type of tremor. Asterixis is a motor disorder characterized by an inability to sustain a position, which in the case of liver dysfunction, can be observed by extending the arms and hands. When a client with asterixis tries to hold their hands outstretched, the hands will rapidly flex and extend.

Juandice is another symptom commonly associated with liver problems like cirrhosis, and it manifests as a yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes due to a buildup of bilirubin. Other conditions such as Acute Intermittent Porphyria can present with different symptoms including reddish urine, abdominal pain, vomiting, and photosensitivity, but these are not directly related to asterixis. When assessing a patient with suspected liver disease, the severity of cirrhosis can be indicated by a range of complications, such as jaundice, ascites, and potential for a liver transplant in advanced stages.