An infection control nurse is reviewing the medical records of several clients. Which of the following infections should the nurse report to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?

A. Monitor for abdominal ascites: Clients with cirrhosis are at risk for fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity due to portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia. Monitoring abdominal girth, weight, and signs of fluid retention is essential for early detection and timely intervention to prevent complications such as respiratory compromise or infection.

B. Implement a low-carbohydrate diet: Cirrhosis does not typically require a low-carbohydrate diet; instead, clients often need adequate calories and protein to prevent malnutrition. Restricting carbohydrates unnecessarily can worsen energy deficits and muscle wasting.

C. Review serum amylase levels: Serum amylase is primarily used to assess pancreatic function, not liver function. Liver disease monitoring focuses on liver enzymes (AST, ALT), bilirubin, and coagulation studies rather than amylase levels.

D. Place warm compresses on areas of pruritus: Pruritus in cirrhosis is better managed with cool baths, moisturizing creams, or medications like cholestyramine. Warm compresses can exacerbate itching by increasing skin blood flow and should generally be avoided.

A. Tetany: Calcium is essential for proper neuromuscular function. A deficiency can lead to increased neuromuscular excitability, resulting in muscle spasms, cramps, and tetany, which are hallmark signs of hypocalcemia.

B. Anemia: Anemia is typically related to deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, or folate, not calcium. While calcium plays roles in other body functions, it is not a direct factor in hemoglobin synthesis or red blood cell production.

C. Kidney stones: Kidney stones are more commonly associated with hypercalcemia or high calcium excretion rather than calcium deficiency. Low calcium intake may actually increase oxalate absorption, but it is not a direct cause of stones.

D. Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease influenced by age, joint stress, and cartilage wear. Calcium deficiency affects bone density (leading to osteoporosis) rather than the cartilage degeneration seen in osteoarthritis.