A nurse is assessing a client who has respiratory acidosis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A reason: Numbness of fingers is not a primary symptom of respiratory acidosis. It may occur in metabolic alkalosis or hypocalcemia, but respiratory acidosis, caused by CO2 retention, primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to symptoms like lethargy, not peripheral numbness. Choice B reason: Lethargy is expected in respiratory acidosis due to CO2 retention (PaCO2 >45 mmHg), which lowers blood pH, impairing brain function. Elevated CO2 causes cerebral vasodilation, reducing alertness and causing drowsiness, making this a hallmark symptom of the condition. Choice C reason: Abdominal pain is not a typical feature of respiratory acidosis. While gastrointestinal symptoms may occur in metabolic disorders, respiratory acidosis primarily affects neurological and respiratory systems due to CO2 accumulation, making this symptom irrelevant to the condition. Choice D reason: Dry skin is not associated with respiratory acidosis. This condition involves acid-base imbalance from hypoventilation, not dermatological changes. Dry skin may relate to dehydration or other conditions, but it is not a primary finding in respiratory acidosis.