Question

Does respiratory acidosis cause hyperventilation?

Or

Does respiratory alkalosis cause hyperventilation?

Answer 1

RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS

• Respiratory alkalosis causes hyperventilation, because rapid respirations cause blowing off of CO2 which leads to decrease in carbonic acid.
• Respiratory alkalosis is a disturbance in acid- base balance due to alveolar hyperventilation.
• Alveolar hyperventilation leads to decrease in paco2 ,which in turn increases the ratio off bicarbonate to paco2 which results in increase in PH

DEFINITION

It is acid base disturbance due to alveolar hyperventilation which results in decreased paco2.

CAUSES

Fever,hyperventilation,hypoxia,hysteria,mechanical hyperventilation,pain,

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

• Neurological-lethargy,lightheadedness,confusion
• Cardiovascular-tachycardia,dysarrythmia
• Gastrointestinal-nausea,vomiting,epigastric pain
• Neuromuscular-tetany,numbness,tingling,seizures
• Respiratory-hyperventilation

TREATMENT

-Monitor signs and symptoms of respiratory distress

-Emotional support and reassurance,

-Breathing exercise

-Provide re-breathing mask

-Monitor electrolyte levels

-Administer calcium gluconate in tetany

RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS

• It is the acid -base imbalance in which hypoventilation elevates the CO2 concentration in blood(Hypercapnea)and decreases the blood PH level(acidemia).
• The inadequate expulsion of CO2 in the lungs through alveolar ventilation results in the enormous accumulation of CO2 .So alveolar hypoventilation leads to increased PaCO2 levels and which in turn results in reduction of HCO3-/PaCO2 ratio and decreases PH level.

TYPES

Acute respiratory acidosis:- It is the condition in which partial pressure of carbon dioxide[paco2] level is elevated above the normal range [35 -45mmhg]with an accompanying acidemia [PH <7.35]

Chronic respiratory acidosis:-It is the condition in which partial pressure of carbon dioxide[paco2] level is elevated above the normal range with normal blood PH [7.35-7.45]

CAUSES

• Defects in the normal lung function or changes in the normal respiratory pattern

• Condition that cause airway obstruction

• Asthma

• Atelectasis[excessive mucus collection with collapse of alveolar sac]

• Brain trauma

• Bronchiectasis[dilatation of bronchi results in inflammation and destructive changes

• Bronchitis[inflammation of bronchi],

• CNS depressants [sedative opioids anesthetics]

• Emphysema [loss of elasticity of alveolar sac]

• Hypoventilation,pulmonary edema,pneumonia,pulmonary emboli

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

NEUROLOGICAL

drowsiness,disorientation,dizziness,headache,coma

CARDIOVASCULAR

decreased blood pressure,ventricular fibrillation,warm or flushed skin

NEUROMUSCULAR

seizure

RESPIRAYORY

hypoventilation with hypoxia

TREATMENT

• Monitor signs of respiratory distress
• Administer oxygen,semi fowler's position
• Encourage cough and deep breathing exercises
• Encourage fluid intake
• Suction the airway
• Administer tranquilizers,sedative or opioids to reduce restlessness
• Monitor electrolyte levels [potassium level]
• Administer antibiotic for respiratory infection
• Endotrachial intubation and mechanical ventilation, if co2 levels above 50mmhg with respiratory distress