NREMT Paramedic Practice

What can prolonged hyperventilation lead to in terms of blood pH?

1. Metabolic acidosis

2. Respiratory acidosis

3. Respiratory alkalosis

4. Metabolic alkalosis

The correct answer is: Respiratory alkalosis

Prolonged hyperventilation leads to a decrease in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the blood, which causes a condition known as respiratory alkalosis. When a person hyperventilates, they exhale more CO2 than the body can produce, resulting in a lower concentration of carbonic acid in the blood. Since carbonic acid dissociates into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions, a decrease in carbonic acid leads to a relative increase in pH, making the blood more alkaline. In summary, because hyperventilation causes excessive elimination of CO2, it directly contributes to an increase in blood pH, which is the hallmark of respiratory alkalosis. Therefore, this physiological response explains why the choice indicating respiratory alkalosis is the correct answer.