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The failure of the lungs to adequately eliminate CO2 results in?

A.

Metabolic alkalosis

B.

Metabolic acidosis

C.

Respiratory acidosis

D.

Respiratory alkalosis

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Rationale:
A. Metabolic alkalosis is related to an excess of bicarbonate or loss of acid, not CO₂ retention.
B. Metabolic acidosis is caused by the accumulation of acids (like in renal failure or DKA), not respiratory dysfunction.
C. Respiratory acidosis occurs when the lungs fail to excrete enough CO₂, leading to CO₂ retention and a decrease in blood pH. This is commonly seen in conditions like COPD, respiratory depression, or airway obstruction.
D. Respiratory alkalosis results from excessive elimination of CO₂, such as in hyperventilation, which is the opposite of what is described.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Rationale:

A. This is an early and potentially serious sign of cardiac involvement in hypokalemia. It can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Continuous cardiac monitoring is essential in patients with low potassium levels.

B. Muscle cramps – Common in hypokalemia due to muscle cell irritability, but not immediately life-threatening like cardiac effects.

C. Fatigue is a general symptom of hypokalemia, but nonspecific and not as critical as ECG changes.

D. Decreased bowel sounds – Reflects reduced smooth muscle activity (hypokalemia can slow GI motility), but this is also less critical than cardiac dysrhythmias.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Rationale:

A. pH: 7.49 is elevated (normal range: 7.35–7.45), indicating alkalosis. PaCO₂: 30 mmHg is low (normal range: 35–45 mmHg), reflecting respiratory alkalosis. HCO₃⁻: 23 mEq/L is normal (normal range: 22–26 mEq/L) → Not a metabolic cause. PaO₂: 96 mmHg and SaO₂: 98% indicates normal oxygenation. Since the pH is high (alkalotic), and the PaCO₂ is low (respiratory alkalosis cause), and HCO₃⁻ is normal, the imbalance is uncompensated respiratory alkalosis

B. Metabolic alkalosis would show high pH and high HCO₃⁻

C. Respiratory acidosis would show low pH and high PaCO₂

D. Metabolic acidosis would show low pH and low HCO₃⁻

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