In assessing a client with a history of viral hepatitis, what condition would the nurse most likely expect the client to have?

Clients with a history of viral hepatitis often experience a range of symptoms due to liver inflammation and dysfunction. One of the most common and prevalent symptoms associated with viral hepatitis is fatigue. This fatigue arises from various factors, including the body's response to inflammation, the impact on liver function, and the metabolic processes that are disrupted during the illness.

In viral hepatitis, the liver is compromised, which can lead to decreased energy production and a general sense of malaise. Additionally, the inflammatory processes in the liver can cause an increase in cytokines, which can further contribute to feelings of exhaustion and malaise. Unlike increased appetite or weight gain, which are typically not associated with hepatitis due to factors like nausea and hepatic dysfunction that often lead to decreased appetite, fatigue is a direct consequence of the disease process itself.

Pale stools can sometimes occur in liver disease due to biliary obstruction or impaired liver function but are not as universally expected in cases of viral hepatitis as fatigue. Therefore, fatigue stands out as the most likely condition to expect in a client who has a history of viral hepatitis.