Which intervention directly addresses the underlying cause of respiratory alkalosis?

Which intervention directly addresses the underlying cause of respiratory alkalosis?

• A. Decrease ventilation
• B. Increase ventilation
• C. Administer bicarbonate
• D. Provide sedation

Answer: (A)

Respiratory alkalosis happens when breathing is excessive, blowing off carbon dioxide faster than it’s produced, which raises blood pH. The underlying issue is the loss of CO2 due to hyperventilation, so the most direct fix is to decrease ventilation—slow the rate or depth of breathing so CO2 can accumulate again and pH moves toward normal. Increasing ventilation would remove even more CO2 and worsen the alkalosis. Administering bicarbonate doesn’t address the CO2 deficit and can complicate the balance, while sedation might help reduce distress but doesn’t directly restore CO2 levels.

Respiratory alkalosis happens when breathing is excessive, blowing off carbon dioxide faster than it’s produced, which raises blood pH. The underlying issue is the loss of CO2 due to hyperventilation, so the most direct fix is to decrease ventilation—slow the rate or depth of breathing so CO2 can accumulate again and pH moves toward normal. Increasing ventilation would remove even more CO2 and worsen the alkalosis. Administering bicarbonate doesn’t address the CO2 deficit and can complicate the balance, while sedation might help reduce distress but doesn’t directly restore CO2 levels.