A client with liver cirrhosis is experiencing episodes of hepatic encephalopathy. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering to help reduce ammonia levels in the blood?

A) Iron supplements are not indicated in the care of a client with liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices. The client's condition is related to portal hypertension and the risk of variceal bleeding, not blood clotting.

B) Monitoring fluid balance and daily weights is important in managing clients with liver cirrhosis, especially those with ascites. However, it is not the essential intervention specific to clients at risk of developing esophageal varices.

C) Elevating the head of the bed is a standard intervention to prevent aspiration in clients with various medical conditions. However, it is not the essential intervention specific to clients at risk of esophageal varices.

D) Encouraging the client to avoid straining during bowel movements is essential in the care of a client at risk of developing esophageal varices. Straining during bowel movements can increase intra-abdominal pressure, which may lead to increased pressure in the portal vein, potentially exacerbating portal hypertension and increasing the risk of variceal bleeding.

A) Transient elastography is not used to assess esophageal varices. Endoscopy is the primary method for diagnosing and grading the severity of esophageal varices in clients with liver cirrhosis.

B) Transient elastography is primarily used to assess the degree of liver fibrosis, not to evaluate liver function or enzyme levels. Liver function and enzyme levels are typically evaluated through blood tests, such as liver function tests (LFTs), which measure liver enzymes, bilirubin, albumin, and other markers of liver health and function.

C) Transient elastography is a non-invasive imaging technique used to assess liver stiffness, which correlates with the degree of fibrosis in the liver. It provides information about the presence and severity of liver fibrosis, aiding in the diagnosis and staging of liver cirrhosis.

D) Transient elastography is not used to identify hepatic encephalopathy. Hepatic encephalopathy is a neuropsychiatric complication of advanced liver disease, and its diagnosis is based on clinical assessment, mental status evaluation, and laboratory tests. Transient elastography is not involved in identifying or diagnosing hepatic encephalopathy.