Which intervention should a nurse implement to decrease ammonia levels in a client with end stage cirrhosis of the liver?

In the context of managing a client with end-stage cirrhosis of the liver, reducing the client's intake of protein is an appropriate intervention for decreasing ammonia levels. The liver plays a crucial role in metabolizing proteins, which results in the production of ammonia as a byproduct. When liver function is compromised, as in cirrhosis, the ability to effectively process and eliminate ammonia is diminished, leading to elevated levels in the bloodstream, which can result in hepatic encephalopathy.

By limiting protein intake, the nurse can help to reduce the substrate available for ammonia production, thereby decreasing the overall ammonia burden on the liver. This approach is often part of a broader dietary management plan aimed at minimizing complications associated with liver failure.

Other strategies in managing cirrhosis may involve addressing fluid balance or administering medications, but in terms of directly impacting ammonia levels through dietary modification, reducing protein intake is the most targeted and relevant intervention.