The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd) and experiencing respiratory acidos
is. the client asks what is making the acidotic state. the nurse is most correct to identify which result of the disease process that causes the rise in ph?
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) makes it hard to breathe due to obstructed airflow from the lungs. This OBSTRUCTION in turn causes respiratory acidosis.
Explanation:
RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS develops when air inhaled into and exhaled from the lungs does not get adequately exchanged between the carbon dioxide from the body for oxygen from the air.
Respiratory acidosis occurs when breathing out does not get rid of enough CO2. The increased CO2 that remains results in an acidic state. This can occur as a result of respiratory problems, such as COPD.
The increased CO2 level in the bloodstream occurring as a result of respiratory acidosis is known as hypercapnia.
