A client with liver cirrhosis complains of severe itching. Which term should the nurse use to document this symptom?

A) Hepatocellular carcinoma is a type of liver cancer and can be a complication of liver cirrhosis. However, it is not typically associated with difficulty sleeping or shortness of breath.

B) Portal hypertension, a common complication of liver cirrhosis, can lead to the development of ascites and esophageal varices, among other manifestations. It is not the likely cause of the client's difficulty sleeping and shortness of breath.

C) Hepatic encephalopathy is a neuropsychiatric complication of advanced liver disease and is not associated with difficulty sleeping or shortness of breath.

D) Hepatopulmonary syndrome is a complication of liver cirrhosis characterized by the development of pulmonary vascular dilation and arteriovenous shunting. This results in impaired oxygenation of blood, leading to difficulty breathing (dyspnea), especially while lying down (orthopnea). Clients with hepatopulmonary syndrome often experience frequent awakenings due to shortness of breath during sleep.

A) While adequate protein intake is necessary for overall health, excessive protein intake may worsen hepatic encephalopathy in some clients with liver cirrhosis. The priority for this client is to avoid alcohol consumption, not necessarily to increase protein intake.

B) Clients with liver cirrhosis and associated ascites should be on a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and prevent complications related to ascites.

C) Limiting fluid intake is not a standard recommendation for clients with liver cirrhosis. Instead, clients with ascites may be advised to follow a low-sodium diet and, if necessary, restrict fluid intake under the guidance of their healthcare provider.

D) For a client with liver cirrhosis, the most crucial dietary modification is to restrict alcohol consumption completely. Alcohol is a major contributing factor to liver damage and can exacerbate cirrhosis. Abstinence from alcohol is essential to prevent further liver injury and improve the client's overall prognosis.