A patient with chronic hepatitis is admitted to the hospital due to his declining status. The nurse assesses the patient and will most likely note which of the following?
Explanation
• Chronic hepatitis will eventually cause extensive damage to the liver and nutritional deficiencies.
• The patient will often have muscle wasting, weakness, fatigue, increased bleeding, decreased body hair, and peripheral edema.
• Liver dysfunction leads to low serum albumin, which causes low oncotic pressure, contributing to edema.
• Jaundice (yellow skin and conjunctiva) may also be present due to a buildup of bilirubin.