What assessment finding is typical in a client with a whipworm infection?

In a client with a whipworm infection, the most typical assessment finding is bloody diarrhea. Whipworm infections, caused by the parasite Trichuris trichiura, often lead to gastrointestinal symptoms. The whipworm attaches to the intestinal mucosa, which can cause inflammation and damage. This damage often results in bleeding, leading to the presence of blood in the stool.

Bloody diarrhea can manifest especially in more severe cases where the infection has become chronic, and intestinal mucosal damage is significant. Symptoms like severe nausea, acute abdominal pain, or skin rashes may occur with other types of infections or conditions, but they are not specifically associated with whipworm infections as prominently as bloody diarrhea. Thus, the presence of blood in the stool is a hallmark sign that clinicians look for when assessing for whipworm infestation.