Which findings should the nurse expect in a client with fluid overload?

In a client with fluid overload, an increased heart rate is expected due to several physiological responses to the excess fluid volume in the body. When the body retains excessive fluid, it can lead to an increase in blood volume, which subsequently raises the workload on the heart. To compensate for this increased volume, the heart may pump faster, leading to an elevated heart rate. This is a common compensatory mechanism as the body tries to maintain adequate circulation and oxygen delivery to tissues despite the overload.

The other findings do not align with typical responses to fluid overload. For instance, hematocrit levels typically decrease in this situation due to dilution from increased plasma volume. Respiratory rates generally do not decrease; instead, they may increase as a response to pulmonary congestion or fluid in the lungs. Likewise, temperature is not typically elevated due to fluid overload unless there is an underlying infection or inflammatory process.