Which term means elevated carbon dioxide levels?

Prepare for the CIEMT Medical and Physiology Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions that feature explanations. Ace your test!

Multiple Choice

Which term means elevated carbon dioxide levels?

Explanation:
Elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood are called hypercapnia. This occurs when ventilation doesn’t remove CO2 efficiently, causing the partial pressure of CO2 (PaCO2) to rise above the normal range (about 35–45 mmHg in adults). Hypercapnia can arise from hypoventilation, lung disease, or muscle weakness affecting breathing, and it reflects a failure to expel CO2 rather than a lack of oxygen. The other terms don’t fit because hypoxia means low oxygen levels, and veins or capillaries are blood vessels, not measures of gas concentrations.

Elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood are called hypercapnia. This occurs when ventilation doesn’t remove CO2 efficiently, causing the partial pressure of CO2 (PaCO2) to rise above the normal range (about 35–45 mmHg in adults). Hypercapnia can arise from hypoventilation, lung disease, or muscle weakness affecting breathing, and it reflects a failure to expel CO2 rather than a lack of oxygen. The other terms don’t fit because hypoxia means low oxygen levels, and veins or capillaries are blood vessels, not measures of gas concentrations.

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