Which sign should the nurse expect when assessing a client with low albumin due to liver disease?

In the context of liver disease and low albumin levels, peripheral edema is the sign that is most commonly associated with this condition. Albumin is a protein produced by the liver that helps maintain oncotic pressure, which is crucial for keeping fluid within the blood vessels. When albumin levels are low, this oncotic pressure decreases, leading to an imbalance that causes fluid to leak out of the blood vessels into surrounding tissues, resulting in edema, particularly in the lower extremities.

While weight loss can occur in some liver diseases, it is not a direct consequence of low albumin levels. Capillary refill time of 5 seconds indicates poor perfusion or circulatory issues but is not specifically indicative of low albumin. Similarly, bleeding from previous puncture sites could be related to other hemostatic concerns rather than being directly tied to low albumin levels. Therefore, peripheral edema clearly demonstrates the physiological effects of decreased albumin due to liver dysfunction and is observed as a direct consequence of this condition.