A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with liver cirrhosis. Which dietary modification should the nurse recommend to the client?

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.

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.