For a patient with liver disease, what finding would suggest a consequence of low protein?

In patients with liver disease, a finding that suggests a consequence of low protein levels is peripheral edema. This occurs due to the liver's decreased ability to synthesize albumin, which is a protein that plays a critical role in maintaining oncotic pressure in the blood vessels. When albumin levels drop, it causes fluid to leak out of the vascular system and into the surrounding tissues, leading to swelling, or edema.

Peripheral edema is a common manifestation of hypoalbuminemia, which can arise in liver disease due to decreased hepatic function. In contrast, increased muscle mass, improved wound healing, and no change in weight do not correlate with low protein levels. Low protein would typically lead to muscle wasting rather than increased muscle mass. Wound healing could be impaired due to protein deficiency, not improved, and a significant drop in protein levels is usually associated with changes in weight, typically leading to weight loss rather than no change. Thus, the presence of peripheral edema is a key indicator of low protein consequences in the context of liver disease.