The patient is admitted with end-stage liver disease. Which of the following would the nurse NOT expect to find upon evaluation?

Rationale: A. The liver is the primary organ for glycogen storage and gluconeogenesis, which maintain blood glucose during fasting or stress. In end-stage liver disease (ESLD), these processes are impaired due to hepatocellular dysfunction, resulting in low blood glucose levels. Hypoglycemia can contribute to weakness, confusion, or even hepatic encephalopathy, making it an expected clinical finding. B. DIC is not typically associated with ESLD. DIC is a systemic disorder of clotting and fibrinolysis, leading to widespread microthrombi formation and simultaneous bleeding. While patients with ESLD do have coagulopathy due to impaired synthesis of clotting factors and thrombocytopenia, this does not cause the generalized activation of coagulation seen in DIC. If DIC were present in a patient with ESLD, it would usually indicate a secondary condition, such as sepsis, trauma, or severe infection, rather than the liver disease itself. C. Ascites is a common and expected finding in ESLD, primarily caused by portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia. Increased hydrostatic pressure in the portal circulation forces fluid into the peritoneal cavity, while low plasma oncotic pressure from reduced albumin worsens fluid accumulation. Patients may present with abdominal distension, shifting dullness, or fluid wave. D. Malnutrition is frequent in ESLD due to decreased appetite, impaired nutrient absorption, altered metabolism, and early satiety from ascites. Patients often show muscle wasting, weight loss, vitamin deficiencies, and low protein levels.