Which of the following blood gas results is most likely in a patient with hyperventilation caused by anxiety?
The behavioral respiratory control system of the brain drives the hyperventilation, which leads to decreased PCO2 and increased pH. If alkalemia is present with the hypocarbia, symptoms can be quite significant. They include dizziness, visual impairment, syncope, and seizures secondary to cerebral vasoconstriction; paresthesia's, carpopedal spasm, and tetany (secondary to decreased free serum calcium); muscle weakness (secondary to hypophosphatemia); and cardiac arrhythmias (secondary to alkalemia).
increased PCO2
decreased PO2
decreased pH
decreased PCO2
Respiratory