A patient newly diagnosed with left-sided heart failure is admitted to the hospital. The nurse will observe this patient closely for:

Choice A reason: Respiratory acidosis does not cause no change in affinity of hemoglobin with oxygen. It causes a decrease in affinity of hemoglobin with oxygen, which means that hemoglobin releases more oxygen to the tissues. This is known as the Bohr effect, which is a physiological response to low pH and high CO2 levels.

Choice B reason: Respiratory acidosis causes a decrease in affinity of hemoglobin with oxygen, which means that hemoglobin releases more oxygen to the tissues. This is the correct statement that describes the expected finding in this patient. The decrease in affinity of hemoglobin with oxygen is a compensatory mechanism that tries to restore the oxygen balance in the body.

Choice C reason: Respiratory acidosis does not cause an increase in affinity of hemoglobin with oxygen. It causes a decrease in affinity of hemoglobin with oxygen, which means that hemoglobin releases more oxygen to the tissues. An increase in affinity of hemoglobin with oxygen would mean that hemoglobin holds on to oxygen more tightly, which would worsen the hypoxia in the patient.

Choice D reason: Respiratory acidosis does not cause a decrease in blood CO2. It causes an increase in blood CO2, which is the primary cause of the low pH. A decrease in blood CO2 would indicate respiratory alkalosis, which is a condition of high pH and low CO2 levels.

Choice A reason: This is not a symptom of right heart failure. Hypertension is a risk factor for developing heart failure, but it does not indicate the severity or location of the heart failure.

Choice B reason: This is not a symptom of right heart failure. Dyspnea upon exertion is a symptom of left heart failure, which occurs when the left ventricle fails to pump blood effectively to the lungs.

Choice C reason: This is a symptom of right heart failure. Significant edema to both lower legs and feet is a result of increased pressure in the systemic circulation, which occurs when the right ventricle fails to pump blood effectively to the rest of the body. This causes fluid to accumulate in the dependent areas, such as the lower extremities.

Choice D reason: This is not a symptom of right heart failure. Decreased urine output is a symptom of left heart failure, which occurs when the left ventricle fails to pump blood effectively to the aorta and the rest of the body. This causes reduced renal perfusion and oliguria.