Question

1. A very ill client has been admitted to the hospital with metabolic acidosis. The client reports light-headedness, dizziness, and tingling/numbness of the fingers and toes. The nurse suspects that the client is now suffering from which acid-base imbalance based on her knowledge of compensatory mechanisms?  

A. Respiratory alkalosis

B. Metabolic acidosis

C. Metabolism alkalosis

Answer 1

Respiratory Alkalosis

What is respiratory alkalosis?

Respiratory alkalosis occurs when the levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood are not balanced.

Your body needs oxygen to function properly. When you inhale, you introduce oxygen into the lungs. When you exhale, you release carbon dioxide, which is a waste product. Normally, the respiratory system keeps these two gases in balance.

Respiratory alkalosis occurs when you breathe too fast or too deep and carbon dioxide levels drop too low. This causes the pH of the blood to rise and become too alkaline. When the blood becomes too acidic, respiratory acidosis occurs.

Hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis

Hyperventilation is typically the underlying cause of respiratory alkalosis. Hyperventilation is also known as overbreathing. Someone who is hyperventilating breathes very deeply or rapidly.

Causes of hyperventilation

Panic attacks and anxiety are the most common causes of hyperventilation. However, they’re not the only possible causes. Others include:

heart attack

pain

drug use

asthma

fever

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

infection

pulmonary embolism

pregnancy

If you’re experiencing hyperventilation (especially for the first time), don’t assume you know the cause. Make an appointment with your doctor.

Symptoms of respiratory alkalosis

Overbreathing is a sign that respiratory alkalosis is likely to develop. However, low carbon dioxide levels in the blood also have a number of physical effects, including:

dizziness

bloating

feeling lightheaded

numbness or muscle spasms in the hands and feet

discomfort in the chest area

confusion

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dry mouth

tingling in the arms

heart palpitations

feeling short of breath