A client with a history of lung disease is at risk for respiratory acidosis. What symptoms would the nurse expect to assess?

The symptoms associated with respiratory acidosis primarily result from the buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood, which can lead to a decrease in blood pH. When evaluating a client with a history of lung disease, disorientation and dyspnea are significant symptoms to observe.

Disorientation may occur because elevated carbon dioxide levels can affect the central nervous system, leading to confusion, decreased consciousness, or altered mental status. Dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, is also a principal symptom as the body struggles to eliminate carbon dioxide effectively due to impaired lung function. This combination of cognitive changes and respiratory distress aligns well with the physiological consequences of respiratory acidosis.

Other symptom options, though they may seem relevant, do not directly tie into the typical presentation of respiratory acidosis in a client with lung disease. Increased respiratory rate and hyperactivity might suggest other conditions involving respiratory alkalosis or stress responses. Likewise, anxiety and tachycardia could be indicators of various health issues but are not specific symptoms to respiratory acidosis. Paresthesias and tingling typically point to metabolic imbalances or neurological issues rather than direct symptoms of respiratory acidosis. Thus, focusing on disorientation and dyspnea provides the most accurate reflection of the expected assessment findings in this context.