A nurse is caring for a client who has cirrhosis of the liver and is receiving spironolactone. Which of the following findings indicates that the client is responding to the treatment?

A. Increased appetite can be a positive sign but is not a direct indicator of spironolactone’s effectiveness in treating cirrhosis-related complications. B. Decreased jaundice is a positive sign but is not the primary indicator of spironolactone’s effectiveness. Jaundice is more directly related to liver function. C. Increased energy can indicate overall improvement but is not specific to the effects of spironolactone. D. Decreased ascites is a direct indicator that spironolactone is effective. Spironolactone is a diuretic used to reduce fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites) associated with liver cirrhosis. A reduction in ascites indicates that the medication is working as intended.