A nurse assesses a patient who has liver failure. Which of these patient finding

4 -- Dyspnea is the priority for this patient. Use ABCs to prioritize. Asterixis or liver flap is a muscle tremor that interferes with the ability to maintain a fixed position of the extremities and causes involuntary jerking movements, and is an early sign of portal systemic encephalopathy. Jaundice is a chronic problem with liver failure and does not present an immediate threat to the patient. Increased abdominal girth is likely the result of ascites and may be contributing to the patient’s shortness of breath, though it is not the nursing priority at this time. Although all of these symptoms should be reported to the primary healthcare provider, the nurse’s immediate priority is the shortness of breath.