What are the symptoms of hypercapnia?

What are the symptoms of hypercapnia?

• A. Rapid heartbeat and sweating
• B. Confusion, headache, and shortness of breath
• C. Nausea and vomiting
• D. Fever and chills

Answer: (B)

Hypercapnia refers to an increased level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood, commonly due to respiratory failure or impaired gas exchange. The symptoms associated with hypercapnia arise from the effects of elevated CO2 on the brain and the body's overall homeostasis. The presence of confusion, headache, and shortness of breath aligns with the physiological responses to high CO2 levels. Confusion can occur as CO2 begins to affect the central nervous system, leading to altered mental status. A headache may develop as a result of increased intracranial pressure or due to cerebral vasodilation, which can occur with elevated CO2 levels. Shortness of breath is a direct response to the body's attempt to compensate for the high CO2 levels, prompting increased respiratory effort to expel carbon dioxide and restore normal gas exchange. The other choices present symptoms that are typically not related to hypercapnia. Rapid heartbeat and sweating tend to be linked with conditions like anxiety or shock rather than CO2 retention. Nausea and vomiting can occur in various medical conditions but are not typically recognized as main symptoms of hypercapnia. Similarly, fever and chills indicate an infectious process rather than a direct consequence of elevated CO2 levels.

Hypercapnia refers to an increased level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood, commonly due to respiratory failure or impaired gas exchange. The symptoms associated with hypercapnia arise from the effects of elevated CO2 on the brain and the body's overall homeostasis.

The presence of confusion, headache, and shortness of breath aligns with the physiological responses to high CO2 levels. Confusion can occur as CO2 begins to affect the central nervous system, leading to altered mental status. A headache may develop as a result of increased intracranial pressure or due to cerebral vasodilation, which can occur with elevated CO2 levels. Shortness of breath is a direct response to the body's attempt to compensate for the high CO2 levels, prompting increased respiratory effort to expel carbon dioxide and restore normal gas exchange.

The other choices present symptoms that are typically not related to hypercapnia. Rapid heartbeat and sweating tend to be linked with conditions like anxiety or shock rather than CO2 retention. Nausea and vomiting can occur in various medical conditions but are not typically recognized as main symptoms of hypercapnia. Similarly, fever and chills indicate an infectious process rather than a direct consequence of elevated CO2 levels.