A client with cirrhosis of the liver is having numerous, liquid, incontinent stools, and continues to be confused. In reviewing the client's laboratory studies, the nurse identifies an elevated serum ammonia level. Based on this finding, which prescription is most important for this client to receive?

A. Furosemide: Furosemide is a diuretic used to reduce fluid overload in cirrhosis, especially in ascites. However, it does not address the elevated ammonia level or the client’s confusion, which are signs of hepatic encephalopathy requiring more specific treatment. B. Intravenous (IV) human albumin: Albumin may be administered to maintain intravascular volume and reduce ascites, but it does not lower serum ammonia. It is supportive therapy, not the priority intervention for encephalopathy. C. Lactulose: Lactulose is the treatment of choice because it decreases serum ammonia by promoting its excretion through the stool. It helps improve mental status in clients with hepatic encephalopathy and is the most important prescription in this scenario. D. Loperamide: Loperamide reduces diarrhea by slowing bowel motility, but in this case, diarrhea is beneficial for eliminating ammonia with lactulose. Using loperamide could worsen encephalopathy by reducing ammonia clearance.