Question

When explaining the hypoxic drive to the client, which statement by the nurse is best?

a) "This isWhen you only breatheWhen your oxygen levels dip below a certain point."
b) "Hypoxic drive is triggered by low carbon dioxide levels."
c) "It occursWhen the body responds to high oxygen levels."
d) "It'sWhen breathing is automatically controlled by the brainstem."

Answer 1

The nurse should explain that the hypoxic drive occurs when the body responds to high oxygen levels, stimulating an increase in respiratory activity to restore normal oxygen levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should explain the hypoxic drive to the client by stating that it occurs when the body responds to high oxygen levels. This is because the hypoxic drive is actually the body's backup system for monitoring respiratory drive, and it is triggered by low levels of oxygen, not high levels. When oxygen levels dip below a certain point, the body's sensors detect the decrease and stimulate an increase in respiratory activity to try to restore oxygen levels to normal.