What symptom may suggest a client has hepatitis?

Jaundice is a symptom commonly associated with hepatitis because it reflects the accumulation of bilirubin in the bloodstream. Hepatitis can cause inflammation and damage to the liver, affecting its ability to process bilirubin, a yellow compound formed during the breakdown of red blood cells. When bilirubin levels become elevated, it can lead to a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, which is referred to as jaundice.

While fever, rash, and nausea can occur with various illnesses, they are not specifically indicative of hepatitis in the same way jaundice is. Fever may suggest infection or inflammation in general, a rash can happen due to a variety of causes, and nausea can be associated with many gastrointestinal disorders. Jaundice, however, is directly linked to liver dysfunction, making it a key symptom in identifying potential hepatitis.