Page 284 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

Adapted from Lewis S, Bucher L, Heitkemper M, Harding, M, Kwong J, Roberts D:
Medical-surgical nursing: assessment and management of clinical problems, ed 10, St.
Louis, 2017, Mosby.

Box 9-2

Causes of Respiratory Alkalosis

▪ Fever: Causes increased metabolism, resulting in overstimulation of the
respiratory system.
▪ Hyperventilation: Rapid respirations cause the blowing off of carbon dioxide
(CO ), leading to a decrease in carbonic acid.
2
▪ Hypoxia: Stimulates the respiratory center in the brainstem, which causes an
increase in the respiratory rate in order to increase oxygen (O ); this causes
2
hyperventilation, which results in a decrease in the CO level.
2
▪ Overventilation by mechanical ventilators: The administration of O and the
2
depletion of CO can occur from mechanical ventilation, causing the client to be
2
hyperventilated.
▪ Pain: Overstimulation of the respiratory center in the brainstem results in a
carbonic acid deficit.
▪ Severe anxiety and hysteria: Often is neurogenic and related to a
psychoneurosis; however, this condition leads to vigorous breathing and
excessive exhaling of CO .
2

Table 9-2

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