PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

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What type of acid-base imbalance is caused by hyperventilation?

Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic alkalosis

The correct answer is: Respiratory alkalosis

Hyperventilation results in an increase in the rate and depth of breathing, which leads to a decreased level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. This decrease is known as hypocapnia. CO2 is a component that plays a crucial role in maintaining the acidity of the blood through the bicarbonate buffering system. When CO2 levels drop, it causes a shift in the acid-base equilibrium, leading to a rise in blood pH, making it more alkaline. This condition is termed respiratory alkalosis. In respiratory alkalosis, the primary disturbance is in the respiratory system, where the excessive expulsion of CO2 shifts the balance towards an alkaline state, affecting overall body homeostasis. Symptoms can include dizziness, tingling, and sometimes seizures, which are secondary to the increased pH affecting neuromuscular excitability. In understanding this imbalance, it's important to recognize that conditions like metabolic acidosis or metabolic alkalosis arise from other physiological processes related to metabolism, rather than the respiratory system's direct influence on CO2 levels.