Hyperventilation is most commonly associated with which acid-base disturbance?

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Multiple Choice

Hyperventilation is most commonly associated with which acid-base disturbance?

Hyperventilation removes carbon dioxide from the body faster than it’s produced, lowering PaCO2. Since CO2 forms carbonic acid in water, less CO2 shifts the balance toward fewer hydrogen ions, raising the pH. That rise in pH from a primary drop in CO2 is respiratory alkalosis. In acute cases you’ll see high pH with low CO2; the kidneys can compensate later by excreting bicarbonate. The other disturbances involve too much CO2 (respiratory acidosis) or problems with bicarbonate/acid production (metabolic acidosis or metabolic alkalosis), which are not the primary effects of hyperventilation.

Hyperventilation removes carbon dioxide from the body faster than it’s produced, lowering PaCO2. Since CO2 forms carbonic acid in water, less CO2 shifts the balance toward fewer hydrogen ions, raising the pH. That rise in pH from a primary drop in CO2 is respiratory alkalosis. In acute cases you’ll see high pH with low CO2; the kidneys can compensate later by excreting bicarbonate. The other disturbances involve too much CO2 (respiratory acidosis) or problems with bicarbonate/acid production (metabolic acidosis or metabolic alkalosis), which are not the primary effects of hyperventilation.

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