Final answer:
Hypercapnia typically results in vasodilation to increase blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues, contrasting with vasoconstriction which occurs in response to low blood pressure and blood loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the situation of hypercapnia, which is an abnormally elevated blood level of CO2, the body will typically undergo vasodilation. This physiological response is due to the fact that hypercapnia impairs respiratory functions and the body's response is to try to increase blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues. Vasodilation of the arterioles decreases vascular resistance, which helps to increase blood flow to the capillaries, counteracting the effects of hypercapnia. Additionally, the myogenic response will help stabilize blood flow and prevent dramatic fluctuations in blood pressure in the capillaries. It's important to note also that vasoconstriction is a typical response to loss of blood and low blood pressure, caused by the sympathetic nervous system's release of epinephrine and norepinephrine, which increase cardiac output and vascular resistance.