This article describes a nursing experience for a patient suffering from spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, a complication of liver cirrhosis in a medical intensive care unit. The nursing period was from November 26 to December 8, 2008. The authors collected data through patient observation, patient interview, and physical assessment with Gordon's 11 Functional Health Assessment Tool. The three major identified health problems were ineffective breathing patterns, potential risk for injury, and sleep disturbance. With the utilization of active listening and communication skills, the author taught the patient self-care to relieve discomfort due to the complication. The author assisted the patient in going through the critical stage of physiological crisis. The patient was transferred out of the intensive care unit and was helped with discharged once conditions stabilized.