Final answer:
Parasympathetic stimulation results in a slower heart rate, lower blood pressure, constricted pupils, and stimulated digestion, as acetylcholine released by the vagus nerve prompts the body to enter a relaxed 'rest and digest' state.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a client experiences parasympathetic stimulation, a nurse can expect to see specific changes in vital signs that reflect a more relaxed state of the body's functions. During parasympathetic activation, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is released, which causes the heart rate (HR) to slow down. This occurs because acetylcholine opens chemical- or ligand-gated potassium ion channels which slows the rate of spontaneous depolarization in the heart. As a result, vital signs change: the heart rate decreases, blood pressure lowers, pupils constrict, and digestion is stimulated. Parasympathetic stimulation originates from the cardioinhibitory center with impulses traveling via the vagus nerve to the heart and other organs, effectively 'putting the brakes on' the body's stress response and promoting a state of rest and digest.