Nutrition HESI Practice Exam Related

Review Nutrition HESI Practice Exam related questions and content

The nurse is caring for a client with liver cirrhosis. Which of these findings would indicate that the client is experiencing complications of the disease?

  • A. Yellowing of the skin and eyes
  • B. Presence of spider angiomas on the skin
  • C. Ascites and peripheral edema
  • D. Clay-colored stools and dark urine
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Clay-colored stools and dark urine are classic signs of liver dysfunction, indicating bile flow obstruction commonly seen in liver cirrhosis. This finding is a significant complication requiring immediate medical evaluation. Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) is a common symptom of liver dysfunction but is not specific to complications. Spider angiomas and ascites with peripheral edema are also associated with liver cirrhosis, but they are not indicative of immediate complications as clay-colored stools and dark urine are.