Question

A patient recovering from respiratory acidosis asked the nurse what could have causes this condition? Which response by the nurse best describes a possible cause?

Select one:

a. Hypoxia

b. Overventilation with mechanical ventilator

c. Salicylate overdose

d. Disease of the airways

Answer 1

Answer- Respiratory Acidosis is a condition in which partial pressure of carbon dioxide increases above 40-45mmHg and pH of the blood falls below 7.35. This is mainly due to hypercapnia due to decrease in Respiratory rate or volume(hypoventilation).

There can be a variety of causes for this disease-

1.Conditions that impair Central Nervous System(CNS) respiRespir drive.

2.Neuromuscular disorders

3.Disorders of airway-Restructive,obstructive and parenchymal disorders of lungs.

In above question best cause is Disease of airways for example COPD and pneumonia which decreases gaseous exchanges due to destruction of alveoli or fluid accumulation.

So the answer is D) Disease of Airway.