Anesthesia Technician Practice Exam

What is a common clinical outcome of hypercapnia?

1. Respiratory alkalosis

2. Respiratory acidosis

3. Metabolic acidosis

4. Respiratory distress

The correct answer is: Respiratory acidosis

Hypercapnia, which refers to an elevated level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood, commonly leads to respiratory acidosis. This occurs because the accumulation of CO2 results in an increase in carbonic acid in the bloodstream, leading to a decrease in blood pH. When CO2 levels rise, the body can no longer effectively rid itself of carbonic acid through normal respiration, causing the acidity of the blood to increase, hence the term “acidosis.” In the context of respiratory acidosis, the body may attempt to compensate for the excessively high CO2 levels through renal adjustments, where the kidneys retain bicarbonate to help buffer the acidity. However, in acute situations of hypercapnia, the immediate clinical outcome would primarily be marked by a drop in pH levels due to the increased acidity from CO2 retention. This is why respiratory acidosis is the appropriate answer to the question about the common clinical outcome of hypercapnia.