Question

______ describes a ventilatory rate which is too low, leading to potentially elevated arterial PCO2

Answer 1

Hypoventilation is the term for a too low ventilatory rate, causing elevated arterial PCO2 and potential hypercapnia. Hypoventilation is distinguished from hyperventilation, which is an increased ventilation rate leading to low blood CO2 levels and high blood pH.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term that describes a ventilatory rate which is too low, leading to potentially elevated arterial PCO2, is hypoventilation.

Hypoventilation results in hypercapnia, which is an abnormally elevated blood level of CO2.

Without adequate ventilation, CO2 cannot be expelled effectively, which leads to an increase in arterial PCO2 and can disrupt the acid-base balance of the blood, potentially leading to respiratory acidosis.

In contrast, an increased ventilation rate that leads to abnormally low blood carbon dioxide levels and high blood pH is known as hyperventilation.

Both hypoventilation and hyperventilation can have significant physiological effects and may be caused by a variety of factors including medical conditions, emotional states, or drug use.