If an individual with respiratory difficulty were retaining too much carbon dioxide, which of the following compensatory responses would be initiated?
A) Increase in respiratory rate
B) Decrease in ventilation rate
C) Increase in tidal volume
D) Vasodilation of the pulmonary arterioles

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When an individual is retaining too much carbon dioxide (hypercapnia), the body will initiate an increase in respiratory rate to try to remove excess carbon dioxide. This is because carbon dioxide is acidic and can lower the pH of the blood, leading to a condition called respiratory acidosis. Increasing the respiratory rate helps to remove the excess carbon dioxide and normalize the blood pH. The other options listed (decrease in ventilation rate, increase in tidal volume, and vasodilation of the pulmonary arterioles) are not appropriate compensatory responses for hypercapnia.

If an Individual with Respiratory Difficulty Were Retaining Too Much