A patient is hypoventilating and retaining carbon dioxide.On which acid-base imbalance should the nurse focus when caring for this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

C.Patients who are hypoventilating retain carbon dioxide,which combines with water in the body to form carbonic acid.Because the cause is respiratory,it is a respiratory acidosis,not a metabolic problem.A,B,and D are not associated with hypoventilation and carbon dioxide retention.

A Patient Is Hypoventilating and Retaining Carbon Dioxide