A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a new diagnosis of liver disease. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

Answering this requires applying knowledge of hepatic pathophysiology and the systemic effects of liver dysfunction. Understanding how the buildup of metabolic byproducts like bilirubin and bile salts affects the skin and nervous system is essential for identifying symptoms. Choice A rationale Acanthosis nigricans presents as dark, velvety skin patches and is primarily a sign of insulin resistance or obesity. It is not a typical manifestation of liver disease, which presents more commonly with jaundice or vascular changes. Choice B rationale Hemosiderin staining is a brownish discoloration of the lower legs caused by chronic venous insufficiency and the breakdown of red blood cells. This condition is related to vascular health rather than primary hepatic parenchymal disease. Choice C rationale Pruritus, or itching, occurs in liver disease due to the accumulation of bile salts under the skin when hepatic excretion is impaired. Normal total bilirubin levels are 0.1 to 1.2 mg/dL; elevations often lead to this symptom. Choice D rationale Night sweats are frequently associated with infections like tuberculosis or certain malignancies such as lymphoma. While liver cancer might cause systemic symptoms, night sweats are not a hallmark manifestation of general liver disease or cirrhosis.