The nurse is caring for a client with decompensated liver disease who is experiencing fever, chills, and abdominal tenderness. Following a paracentesis, the nurse receives laboratory results. Exhibits After notifying the healthcare provider, which action should the nurse take next?

A. Begin abdominal girth measurements. Abdominal girth measurements may be important for assessing fluid status in clients with liver disease and ascites, but in this case, the elevated polymorphonuclear leukocyte count indicates a possible infection, requiring immediate intervention. B. Review serum protein levels. While monitoring serum protein levels is important in clients with liver disease, the priority in this situation is to address the potential infection indicated by the elevated leukocyte count. C. Assess neurological status. Neurological assessment may be relevant in some cases, but it is not the priority in a client with suspected infection after a paracentesis. D. Initiate antibiotic therapy. Given the client's symptoms and the elevated polymorphonuclear leukocyte count in the ascitic fluid, indicating possible infection (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis), initiating antibiotic therapy is the priority action to address the infection and prevent further complications.