The student nurse is very anxious about the upcoming nursing examination and is hyperventilating. Based on this information, what acid–base imbalance is most likely to occur for the nursing student?
A) Respiratory acidosis
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
B
Feedback:
Too little carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood is called respiratory alkalosis and is most commonly caused by hyperventilation (excessively rapid, deep breathing), but can also be caused by overuse of antacids or can be related to early pulmonary edema or pulmonary embolism. Respiratory acidosis can be caused by airway obstruction in disorders such as emphysema, severe pneumonia, asthma, and pulmonary edema, as well as in drug overdose. Untreated respiratory acidosis is life-threatening. Metabolic acidosis or metabolic alkalosis does not occur with hyperventilation.
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