A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic diarrhea. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Rationale: A. Respiratory acidosis: Chronic diarrhea typically causes metabolic acidosis due to loss of bicarbonate in the stool, not respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis results from hypoventilation and CO₂ retention, unrelated to diarrhea. B. Hypertension: Chronic diarrhea often leads to fluid and electrolyte imbalances causing hypotension or low blood pressure due to dehydration, rather than hypertension. C. Hypokalemia: Diarrhea causes significant potassium loss through the gastrointestinal tract, leading to hypokalemia. Low potassium levels can result in muscle weakness, cramps, and cardiac arrhythmias. D. Hypermagnesemia: Magnesium is usually lost during diarrhea, which more commonly leads to hypomagnesemia rather than elevated magnesium levels. Hypermagnesemia is rare unless there is excessive intake or renal failure.