A nurse is assessing a client with suspected liver cirrhosis. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to find as an early sign of the condition?

A) Pain medication is not appropriate for managing altered mental status and confusion. The priority is to identify and address the underlying cause of the client's symptoms.

B) While documentation and ongoing monitoring are important, the priority is to take immediate action when the client is exhibiting signs of altered mental status. The nurse should promptly notify the healthcare provider for further evaluation and intervention.

C) A liver biopsy is a diagnostic procedure that provides information about the degree of liver damage and fibrosis. However, it is not the first action to take when the client is experiencing altered mental status and confusion. Immediate notification of the healthcare provider is the priority in this situation.

D) Altered mental status and confusion in a client with liver cirrhosis can indicate hepatic encephalopathy, a serious complication of advanced liver disease. Hepatic encephalopathy results from the accumulation of toxic substances in the blood due to impaired liver function. The nurse should prioritize notifying the healthcare provider immediately to initiate appropriate interventions and prevent further deterioration of the client's condition.

A) Restricting fluid intake is not appropriate for managing ascites in clients with liver cirrhosis. Ascites occurs due to fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity and is not primarily influenced by oral fluid intake.

B) Encouraging a high-sodium diet is contraindicated in clients with ascites. High sodium intake can exacerbate fluid retention and worsen ascites. Instead, clients with ascites should be on a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid accumulation.

C) In a client with liver cirrhosis experiencing fluid retention and abdominal distension due to ascites, paracentesis is an essential intervention to drain the accumulated ascitic fluid from the abdominal cavity. Paracentesis helps to relieve discomfort, improve respiratory function, and reduce intra-abdominal pressure.

D) Diuretics are used in the management of ascites to promote urine output and reduce fluid retention. However, paracentesis is a more immediate intervention for relieving discomfort and removing a large volume of ascitic fluid.