Question

An unresponsive patient has an end-tidal carbon dioxide level of 70 mm Hg. From this, you should conclude that the patient is:

A) hypercarbic and breathing adequately.
B) hypocarbic and breathing adequately.
C) hypercarbic and breathing inadequately.
D) hypocarbic and breathing inadequately.

Answer 1

An end-tidal carbon dioxide level of 70 mm Hg indicates that the patient is hypercarbic and breathing inadequately.

Step-by-step explanation:

An end-tidal carbon dioxide level of 70 mm Hg indicates that the patient is hypercarbic and breathing inadequately. Hypercarbia refers to abnormally elevated blood levels of CO2, which happens when the patient is not exhaling enough CO2. Additionally, the high CO2 level suggests that the patient is not breathing adequately to remove the excess CO2 from their body.