A nurse is assessing a client who was brought to the emergency department experiencing a severe panic attack. The client is visibly agitated and has been hyperventilating for the past twenty minutes. Based on this respiratory pattern, which of the following acid-base imbalances should the nurse expect?
- Respiratory alkalosisCevap
- BRespiratory acidosis
- CMetabolic acidosis
- DMetabolic alkalosis
Cevap
Respiratory alkalosis
The correct answer is respiratory alkalosis because hyperventilation causes the body to exhale too much carbon dioxide. Since carbon dioxide acts as an acid in the blood, its excessive loss leads to a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration and an increase in blood pH, creating an alkalotic state.
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Anahtar Kavram
Respiratory Alkalosis secondary to Hyperventilation