Which term describes an acid condition of the body resulting from decreased ventilation?

Which term describes an acid condition of the body resulting from decreased ventilation?

• A. Acidosis
• B. Alkalosis
• C. Adjuncts
• D. Agitation

Answer: (A)

Decreased ventilation causes carbon dioxide to accumulate in the blood. CO2 combines with water to form carbonic acid, which lowers the blood pH. That drop in pH describes acidosis, and when it results from inadequate ventilation, it’s specifically respiratory acidosis. This is why acidosis is the correct term. The other options don’t fit: alkalosis would mean a higher pH, adjuncts are unrelated substances, and agitation is a behavior or symptom, not an acid-base state.

Decreased ventilation causes carbon dioxide to accumulate in the blood. CO2 combines with water to form carbonic acid, which lowers the blood pH. That drop in pH describes acidosis, and when it results from inadequate ventilation, it’s specifically respiratory acidosis. This is why acidosis is the correct term. The other options don’t fit: alkalosis would mean a higher pH, adjuncts are unrelated substances, and agitation is a behavior or symptom, not an acid-base state.