Which client is at the highest risk for infection based on their condition?

The client receiving total parenteral nutrition via a central line is at the highest risk for infection due to several factors associated with their condition. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) provides nutrition directly into the bloodstream through a central venous catheter, which bypasses the body's natural barriers to infection.

The insertion and maintenance of a central line carry inherent risks, including the potential for catheter-related bloodstream infections. Additionally, patients on TPN often have compromised immune systems due to underlying conditions that necessitate their use of parenteral nutrition, making them more susceptible to infections.

While other clients mentioned may have increased risks for infections, such as the malnourished client or the one receiving steroid treatment, the combination of a central line and the nature of TPN creates a particularly vulnerable situation for infection, given the direct access it provides to the bloodstream and the challenges in maintaining strict aseptic technique. This context emphasizes why the client on TPN via a central line is at the highest risk for infection.