Which symptom might a nurse expect in a client with a sodium level of 122 mEq/L?

A sodium level of 122 mEq/L indicates hyponatremia, which can lead to various neurological symptoms due to the disturbance in the osmotic balance across cell membranes. When sodium levels fall, fluid shifts into cells, causing them to swell. This swelling can affect brain cells, leading to symptoms such as confusion, agitation, seizures, or even coma in severe cases.

Specifically, confusion is a common symptom associated with low sodium levels. The brain's response to the osmotic change can impair cognitive functions, resulting in altered mental status. In clinical practice, monitoring a patient's sodium levels is vital, as symptoms can range from mild confusion to severe neurologic impairment.

Other choices, while relating to common body functions, do not directly correlate with the symptoms expected from low sodium levels. Increased appetite and excessive thirst are not typically linked with hyponatremia; rather, they might be more relevant to conditions involving hypernatremia or other metabolic imbalances. Bradycardia, or a slow heart rate, is not a primary symptom of hyponatremia, though it can occur in various other electrolyte imbalances or cardiac conditions.