Final answer:
Changes in CO₂ levels can indicate fluid loss or retention and lead to electrolyte imbalances, causing various health issues, such as edema, impaired kidney function, and changes in plasma osmolality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Changes in CO₂ levels indicate losing or retaining fluid which can cause an imbalance of the body's electrolytes. When there is an imbalance, it can lead to conditions such as hypokalemia (decreased blood levels of potassium), hyponatremia (lower-than-normal levels of sodium), and hypophosphatemia (abnormally low blood phosphate levels).
These imbalances can have severe physiological effects, including intracellular edema, circulation issues, impaired renal functions, weakness, and alterations in plasma osmolality, which reflects a person's state of hydration. Electrolyte imbalances can result from changes in excretion through the kidneys, loss through sweat or feces, and can be affected by factors such as excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, and metabolic conditions.