Which physical finding should a nurse expect when assessing a client in opioid withdrawal?

In assessing a client experiencing opioid withdrawal, tachypnea is a physical finding that can be expected. Opioid withdrawal often leads to a state of heightened sympathetic nervous system activity, which can cause increased respiratory rate. This is in stark contrast to the commonly sedative effects of opioids, which typically slow down respiratory function when a person is using the drugs.

Tachypnea, or rapid breathing, reflects the body's efforts to compensate for the distress caused by withdrawal. During withdrawal, the body is reacting to the absence of opioids, thereby creating a state of agitation and discomfort which often manifests in increased respiratory rates. Understanding this physiological response is crucial for effective assessment and management of clients experiencing withdrawal.

In this context, it’s important to recognize that other findings associated with withdrawal, such as increased heart rate and temperature, may also occur, but these do not negate the primary expectant finding of tachypnea in this scenario.