Which assessment finding would indicate that a patient's ascites is improving?
Explanation
• Increased urine output indicates that the ascitic fluid is being absorbed into the circulation and then excreted
• Peripheral edema should decrease as ascites resolves
• Ascites, the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, increases abdominal girth and can also inhibit the movement of the diaphragm, resulting in difficulty breathing. As it resolves, breathing eases
• Abdominal skin should become less shiny
• Lower fluid volume should cause the pulse rate to slow, not to increase