What assessment finding is associated with a client expected to have laryngeal cancer?

In the context of laryngeal cancer, hoarseness is a prominent assessment finding. The larynx, or voice box, contains the vocal cords, which play a critical role in sound production. When cancer affects this area, it can lead to changes in the voice, most notably hoarseness, which is often an early symptom of laryngeal malignancy. This occurs due to the tumor's interference with the normal vibration of the vocal cords, which can lead to a raspy or weak voice quality.

While other symptoms such as difficulty swallowing and chronic cough may be present in various conditions affecting the throat or airway, they are not as specifically associated with laryngeal cancer as hoarseness is. Loss of voice can also result from laryngeal cancer but typically represents a more advanced stage of disease, whereas hoarseness can occur at earlier stages and serve as a warning sign that leads to further evaluation and diagnosis. Thus, hoarseness stands out as the most characteristic and first noticeable symptom likely linked to laryngeal cancer, making it the correct response to this question.