You can recognize Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) based on which symptoms?

A. Obtaining a STAT electrocardiogram: While obtaining an electrocardiogram (ECG) can be important in evaluating a patient's cardiac status, it is not the highest priority in the context of suspected AAA rupture. Immediate management focuses on stabilizing the patient and addressing potential hemorrhagic shock.

B. Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter: Inserting a urinary catheter may be necessary for monitoring urine output, but it is not the immediate priority when managing a suspected AAA rupture. The focus should be on life-threatening conditions first.

C. Increasing cardiac contractility: Increasing cardiac contractility may be relevant in some clinical situations, but it does not directly address the urgent need to maintain hemodynamic stability and prevent shock in a patient with suspected AAA rupture.

D. Maintaining blood pressure: Maintaining blood pressure is the highest priority intervention in this scenario. Patients with a suspected AAA rupture are at high risk for hypovolemic shock due to internal bleeding. Ensuring adequate blood pressure is critical to perfusing vital organs and stabilizing the patient before surgical intervention.

A. Hypoventilation causes hypocapnia: Hypoventilation leads to inadequate removal of carbon dioxide (CO₂), resulting in hypercapnia rather than hypocapnia. This occurs because decreased ventilation reduces gas exchange efficiency, allowing CO₂ to accumulate in the blood, which can cause respiratory acidosis.

B. Hypoventilation causes alkalosis: Hypoventilation leads to respiratory acidosis rather than alkalosis. When ventilation is insufficient, CO₂ builds up in the bloodstream, leading to an increase in hydrogen ion concentration and a subsequent drop in blood pH. This is commonly seen in conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), neuromuscular disorders, and opioid overdose.

C. Hyperventilation causes acidosis: Hyperventilation results in excessive elimination of CO₂, leading to a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration and an increase in blood pH, causing respiratory alkalosis rather than acidosis. Acidosis occurs when CO₂ retention leads to an increase in hydrogen ion concentration, which is the opposite of what happens with hyperventilation.

D. Hyperventilation causes hypocapnia: Hyperventilation leads to an excessive exhalation of CO₂, causing a reduction in blood CO₂ levels (hypocapnia). This can result in respiratory alkalosis, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, tingling sensations, and even syncope. It is often seen in conditions like anxiety, panic attacks, fever, or high-altitude exposure.