Paramedic National Registry Practice

Why is hyperventilation performed in a medical setting?

1. To induce relaxation

2. To decrease oxygen levels

3. To decrease CO2 levels

4. To increase blood pressure

The correct answer is: To decrease CO2 levels

Hyperventilation is performed in a medical setting primarily to decrease carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the blood. This process occurs when a patient breathes rapidly and deeply, leading to a reduction in CO2 because it is being expelled from the lungs at a faster rate than it is produced by the body. Lower CO2 levels can have significant physiological effects, particularly in cases involving respiratory distress or metabolic acidosis, where managing acid-base balance is crucial. By decreasing CO2, hyperventilation can help to alleviate symptoms associated with conditions such as anxiety, panic attacks, and some forms of respiratory failure. It is worth noting that hyperventilation can potentially lead to respiratory alkalosis, a condition characterized by increased blood pH due to low CO2 levels. The other choices do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of hyperventilation. It is not typically done to induce relaxation, nor is it intended to decrease oxygen levels or increase blood pressure directly. Instead, oxygen levels can remain stable or even increase depending on the patient's condition and the effectiveness of the hyperventilation.