Field Internship Student Data Acquisition Project. (FISDAP) Airway Practice Exam

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What can hyperventilation lead to in a patient?

Increased arterial CO2
Alkalosis of blood
Decreased respiratory rate
Reduced anxiety

The correct answer is: Alkalosis of blood

Hyperventilation leads to alkalosis of blood, specifically respiratory alkalosis. When a patient hyperventilates, they expel carbon dioxide (CO2) from the body at a faster rate than it is produced. This causes a decrease in the concentration of CO2 in the blood, which in turn elevates the blood's pH level, resulting in alkalosis. The physiological mechanism behind this is that CO2 plays a crucial role in maintaining acid-base balance. A reduction in CO2 levels leads to a relative increase in bicarbonate (HCO3-), which raises blood pH. This condition can cause various symptoms ranging from tingling sensations to fainting, due to the effects of altered cellular metabolism and reduced availability of ionized calcium. In summary, hyperventilation primarily disrupts the acid-base balance, leaning towards alkalosis due to the excessive loss of CO2, making the statement about alkalosis of blood the correct interpretation of the physiological consequences of hyperventilation.