A patient is hypoventilating and retaining carbon dioxide. On which acid-base imbalance should the nurse focus when caring for this patient?
a. Metabolic acidosis
b. Metabolic alkalosis
c. Respiratory acidosis
d. Respiratory alkalosis
ANS: C
C. Patients who are hypoventilating retain carbon dioxide, which combines with water in the body to form carbonic acid. Because the cause is respiratory, it is a respiratory acidosis, not a metabolic problem. A, B, and D are not associated with hypoventilation and carbon dioxide retention.
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