In arterial blood gas analysis, what does an elevated PaCO2 indicate?

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Multiple Choice

In arterial blood gas analysis, what does an elevated PaCO2 indicate?

Explanation:
Elevated PaCO2 shows that the lungs aren’t removing CO2 effectively, meaning hypoventilation. When CO2 builds up, it combines with water to form carbonic acid, which dissociates into hydrogen ions and bicarbonate, lowering pH. That’s respiratory acidosis, and the high PaCO2 is the telltale sign of inadequate ventilation. Hyperventilation would lower PaCO2, not raise it, so it wouldn’t indicate this pattern. Hypoxemia is about low oxygen (PaO2), not CO2. Metabolic alkalosis is a metabolic disturbance with high bicarbonate and usually a high pH, not driven by elevated PaCO2 (unless there’s a later respiratory compensation).

Elevated PaCO2 shows that the lungs aren’t removing CO2 effectively, meaning hypoventilation. When CO2 builds up, it combines with water to form carbonic acid, which dissociates into hydrogen ions and bicarbonate, lowering pH. That’s respiratory acidosis, and the high PaCO2 is the telltale sign of inadequate ventilation. Hyperventilation would lower PaCO2, not raise it, so it wouldn’t indicate this pattern. Hypoxemia is about low oxygen (PaO2), not CO2. Metabolic alkalosis is a metabolic disturbance with high bicarbonate and usually a high pH, not driven by elevated PaCO2 (unless there’s a later respiratory compensation).

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