Hypoventilation describes which condition?

• A. Over-Breathing
• B. Inadequate Ventilation
• C. Hyperventilation
• D. Rapid Breathing

Answer: (B)

Hypoventilation means inadequate ventilation—that breathing is not sufficient to meet the body's needs or to remove CO2 effectively. When ventilation is reduced, CO2 builds up in the blood (hypercapnia), which lowers blood pH and can lead to respiratory acidosis if it persists. This is the opposite of hyperventilation, where ventilation is increased and CO2 is blown off, often causing respiratory alkalosis. Rapid breathing describes tachypnea, which may or may not be accompanied by adequate gas exchange, but it does not define hypoventilation. Over-breathing is another term sometimes used for hyperventilation. So the description that best fits hypoventilation is inadequate ventilation.