Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

A patient with significant respiratory acidosis may experience which of the following symptoms?

1. Confusion

2. Hyperventilation

3. Bradycardia

4. Decreased blood pressure

The correct answer is: Confusion

A patient with significant respiratory acidosis can experience confusion as a symptom due to the accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood, which leads to an increase in hydrogen ions, making the blood more acidic. This acidosis can affect brain function, resulting in neurological symptoms such as confusion or altered mental status. Patients may exhibit cognitive changes because of the impact of increased CO2 on the central nervous system, resulting in impaired consciousness or confusion. In contrast, hyperventilation typically occurs in metabolic acidosis or respiratory alkalosis as the body attempts to compensate for imbalances. Bradycardia, or a slower than normal heart rate, can be linked to respiratory acidosis but is not as direct a symptom as confusion. Finally, decreased blood pressure may also result from severe acidosis but is less specific compared to confusion, which is often more prominent and noticeable in these patients.