Final answer:
Respiratory acidosis is caused by hypoventilation which leads to excessive carbon dioxide in the blood, decreasing blood pH. It can result from respiratory disorders like pneumonia, emphysema, the use of certain sedatives, or conditions such as congestive heart failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Respiratory acidosis occurs when the body experiences hypoventilation, leading to an excess of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood which results in a decrease in blood pH. This can happen due to several reasons, some of which include:
- Respiratory disorders like pneumonia and emphysema, which impair the lungs' ability to exchange gases effectively.
- Neuromuscular conditions that reduce the ability to breathe deeply or rapidly enough, leading to inadequate ventilation.
- Sedative use, such as morphine, barbiturates, or alcohol which can depress the respiratory center in the brain.
These factors lead to increased levels of carbon dioxide, and subsequent carbonic acid in the blood, contributing to a state of acidosis. Conditions like congestive heart failure can also compromise lung function and contribute to respiratory acidosis.