A person with emphysema will exhibit signs of
options: A) chronic metabolic acidosis. B) chronic respiratory alkalosis. C) acute respiratory acidosis. D) chronic respiratory acidosis.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is D) chronic respiratory acidosis.
Emphysema is a chronic lung condition that is part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is primarily caused by the destruction of the alveolar walls in the lungs, which results in reduced surface area for gas exchange and a loss of lung elasticity. This leads to difficulty in expelling air from the lungs and impaired oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange.
In emphysema, the main issue is the inability to properly exhale carbon dioxide (CO2), which accumulates in the blood. The body compensates by attempting to maintain normal blood pH levels through various mechanisms, but chronic CO2 retention leads to respiratory acidosis. Over time, this acidosis becomes chronic because the kidneys also contribute to compensating for the elevated CO2 by increasing bicarbonate (HCO3-) retention, which helps buffer the acidity in the blood.
Chronic respiratory acidosis occurs because the lungs cannot effectively eliminate CO2 due to the structural damage in the airways and alveoli. As a result, the CO2 builds up, lowering the blood pH. The body eventually adapts to this condition by increasing bicarbonate levels to buffer the excess acidity, but the underlying respiratory problem continues to cause chronic acidosis.
Acute respiratory acidosis (option C) typically occurs in conditions where there is a sudden failure in the respiratory system to expel CO2, such as during a severe asthma attack or respiratory failure. However, in emphysema, the acidosis develops slowly and becomes a chronic issue over time.
Thus, patients with emphysema will most commonly exhibit chronic respiratory acidosis, characterized by elevated CO2 levels, low pH, and compensatory bicarbonate retention.