AEMCA Practice Exam

Which factor can lead to respiratory alkalosis?

1. Renal failure

2. Hypoxia

3. Fever

4. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

The correct answer is: Fever

Fever can lead to respiratory alkalosis because it typically increases metabolic rate and can stimulate the respiratory center in the brain, resulting in hyperventilation. When a person experiences a fever, the body's demand for oxygen increases, and the respiratory rate may rise as a compensatory mechanism, leading to excessive exhalation of carbon dioxide. This loss of carbon dioxide can cause a decrease in arterial carbon dioxide levels, which in turn raises the pH of the blood, resulting in respiratory alkalosis. In contrast, renal failure can cause metabolic acidosis due to the accumulation of acidic waste products. Hypoxia can lead to respiratory acidosis as it often results in inadequate oxygenation and CO2 retention. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) typically leads to respiratory acidosis due to airflow obstruction and inadequate gas exchange, often resulting in carbon dioxide buildup rather than loss. Thus, fever stands out as the factor associated with the development of respiratory alkalosis.