The health care provider recommends daily fiber supplements for an elderly client who is experiencing frequent constipation. What statement is important for the nurse to include when educating a client about these supplements?

Choice A reason: Ascites results from increased permeability of peritoneal capillaries, often due to inflammatory molecules like cytokines in conditions such as liver cirrhosis or portal hypertension. This allows plasma proteins and fluid to leak into the peritoneal cavity, causing fluid accumulation. This statement accurately describes the pathophysiology of ascites in liver-related disorders.

Choice B reason: Low aldosterone levels do not cause ascites; instead, high aldosterone in liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis) promotes sodium and water retention, exacerbating fluid accumulation. This statement is inaccurate, as secondary hyperaldosteronism due to reduced liver metabolism of aldosterone is a key factor in ascites development.

Choice C reason: The liver’s failure to produce clotting factors can lead to bleeding tendencies, like variceal hemorrhage, but this does not directly cause ascites. Ascites is driven by fluid leakage from capillaries, not bleeding. This statement is inaccurate, as clotting factor deficiency is unrelated to peritoneal fluid accumulation.

Choice D reason: While fluid imbalance contributes to ascites, the primary mechanism involves portal hypertension and capillary permeability, not just osmotic pressure changes. This statement is overly vague and less accurate than the specific role of inflammatory molecules increasing capillary leakage in the peritoneal cavity.

Choice A reason: Negative glucose in urine is normal, as the kidneys reabsorb glucose unless blood levels exceed 180 mg/dL (e.g., in diabetes). In hypertension, this finding does not indicate renal damage or require further assessment, as it aligns with normal renal function and glucose handling.

Choice B reason: Negative white blood cells in urine suggest no urinary tract infection or inflammation, a normal finding. In hypertensive patients, this does not signal kidney damage or other complications, so no additional assessment is needed, as it indicates an absence of acute inflammatory processes.

Choice C reason: Proteinuria (positive protein) indicates potential renal damage, common in hypertension due to glomerular injury from elevated pressure. It suggests impaired filtration, allowing proteins like albumin to leak into urine. This finding warrants further assessment, such as quantifying protein levels or evaluating kidney function, making it the correct choice.

Choice D reason: Creatinine in urine is normal, as it is a waste product excreted by the kidneys. While serum creatinine assesses renal function, urinary creatinine presence is expected and does not indicate pathology in hypertension, so it does not require additional assessment in this context.