Question

"Your adult respiratory insufficiency patient's respirations are shallow and irregular at six times per minute. His SpO2 is 76 mm Hg, and you suspect carbon dioxide retention due to the decreased respiratory effort. Which of the following should you suspect?

A. Respiratory alkalosis

B. Respiratory acidosis

C. Metabolic acidosis

D. Metabolic alkalosis"

Answer 1

The patient's shallow and irregular respirations along with low SpO2 levels indicate carbon dioxide retention, suggesting respiratory acidosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this case, the patient's shallow and irregular respirations along with low SpO2 levels indicate carbon dioxide retention, suggesting respiratory acidosis as the correct answer.

Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is an excess of carbon dioxide in the blood, resulting in elevated levels of carbonic acid. In this case, the decreased respiratory effort leads to inadequate elimination of carbon dioxide, causing it to accumulate in the bloodstream.