Which term means elevated carbon dioxide levels?

Which term means elevated carbon dioxide levels?

• A. Hypercapnia
• B. Hypoxia
• C. Vein
• D. Capillary

Answer: (A)

Elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood are called hypercapnia. This occurs when ventilation doesn’t remove CO2 efficiently, causing the partial pressure of CO2 (PaCO2) to rise above the normal range (about 35–45 mmHg in adults). Hypercapnia can arise from hypoventilation, lung disease, or muscle weakness affecting breathing, and it reflects a failure to expel CO2 rather than a lack of oxygen. The other terms don’t fit because hypoxia means low oxygen levels, and veins or capillaries are blood vessels, not measures of gas concentrations.

Elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood are called hypercapnia. This occurs when ventilation doesn’t remove CO2 efficiently, causing the partial pressure of CO2 (PaCO2) to rise above the normal range (about 35–45 mmHg in adults). Hypercapnia can arise from hypoventilation, lung disease, or muscle weakness affecting breathing, and it reflects a failure to expel CO2 rather than a lack of oxygen. The other terms don’t fit because hypoxia means low oxygen levels, and veins or capillaries are blood vessels, not measures of gas concentrations.