Your Patient Is Being Ventilated with a Nasal Mask to Relieve

Your patient is being ventilated with a nasal mask to relieve dyspnea. He has a long history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypercarbia. What is the goal of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation in this setting with regard to the ABGs?

A) Return the PaCO₂ to 40 to 45 mm Hg.
B) Return the pH to near normal.
C) Return the PaCO₂ to less than 60 mm Hg.
D) Return the bicarbonate level to near normal.