What physiological result occurs from hyperventilating a patient?

What physiological result occurs from hyperventilating a patient?

• A. Increased preload and hypertension
• B. Hypotension and inhibited preload
• C. Increased oxygen levels in the blood
• D. Decreased heart rate and blood pressure

Answer: (B)

Hyperventilating a patient leads to a series of physiological changes primarily due to a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the blood, a condition known as hypercapnia. When CO2 levels decrease, the body undergoes respiratory alkalosis, which can cause blood vessels to constrict. This constriction can result in decreased blood flow return to the heart, ultimately leading to a reduction in preload—the volume of blood in the ventricles just before contraction. When preload is inhibited, the heart's output can decrease, which may lead to hypotension. In a hyperventilated state, the vascular response also contributes to potential hypotension due to the reduced volume of blood returning to the heart and the subsequent diminished cardiac output. Thus, the physiological result of hyperventilation encompasses inhibited preload and the risk of developing hypotension.

Hyperventilating a patient leads to a series of physiological changes primarily due to a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the blood, a condition known as hypercapnia. When CO2 levels decrease, the body undergoes respiratory alkalosis, which can cause blood vessels to constrict. This constriction can result in decreased blood flow return to the heart, ultimately leading to a reduction in preload—the volume of blood in the ventricles just before contraction. When preload is inhibited, the heart's output can decrease, which may lead to hypotension.

In a hyperventilated state, the vascular response also contributes to potential hypotension due to the reduced volume of blood returning to the heart and the subsequent diminished cardiac output. Thus, the physiological result of hyperventilation encompasses inhibited preload and the risk of developing hypotension.