The nurse is aware that the compensating mechanism that is most likely to occur in the presence of respiratory acidosis is: A) Hyperventilation to decrease the CO₂ levels B) Hypoventilation to increase the CO₂ levels C) Retention of HCO₃ by the kidneys to increase the pH level D) Excretion of HCO₃ by the kidneys to decrease the pH level

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The compensating mechanism in the presence of respiratory acidosis is retention of bicarbonate by the kidneys to increase the pH level.Hyperventilation would be the compensating mechanism in metabolic acidosis to decrease CO₂ levels.Hypoventilation would be the compensating mechanism in metabolic alkalosis to increase CO₂ levels.The compensating mechanism in the presence of metabolic alkalosis is excretion of bicarbonate to decrease the pH level.

The Nurse Is Aware That the Compensating Mechanism That Is