A patient with ESRD comes into the emergency department in severe acidosis. The nurse notes that the respiratory rate is 36 breaths/minute. The nurse understands the pathophysiology of this response and explains to the student nurse that the patient's

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The second line of defense against acid-base disturbances is the control of extracellular ^CO2 ^{by the lungs. Blood PCO}2 ^{and pH are important regulators of ventilation.}Chemoreceptors in the brain stem and the peripheral chemoreceptors in the carotid and ^{aortic bodies sense changes in PCO}2 ^{and pH and alter the ventilatory rate.}

A Patient with ESRD Comes into the Emergency Department in Severe