Respiratory Alkalosis

Question 1

Problems resulting from respiratory alkalosis are fairly uncommon and develops when

Answer 1

Respiratory activity lowers blood PCO2 to below normal levels, a condition called hypocapnia

Question 2

A temporary hypocapnia can be produced by

Answer 2

Hyperventilation when increased respiratory activity leads to a reduction in the arterial PCO2

Question 3

continued hyperventilation can increase the pH to levels as high as

Answer 3

8.0

Question 4

This condition generally corrects itself because the reduction in PC02 halt the stimulation to chemoreceptors so

Answer 4

The urge to breathe fade until carbon dioxide levels have returned to normal

Question 5

Common causes of hyperventilation include

Answer 5

Pain or psychological stress

Question 6

A simple treatment for respiratory alkalosis caused by hyperventilation is

Answer 6

To have the person rebreathe air exhaled into a small paper bag.
As the PCO2 in the bag increases, so do the persons alveolar and arterial CO2 concentration.
This change eliminates the problem and restores the pH to normal levels

Question 7

Other problems with respiratory alkalosis

Answer 7

1. Persons adapting to high altitudes, where the low PO2 promotes hyperventilation.
2. Patients on mechanical respirators
3. Persons whose brain stem injuries render them incapable of responding to shifts in plasma CO2 concentrations.