Paramedic National Registry Practice

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What term is used to describe elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the blood?

Hypoxia
Hypercapnia
Acidosis
Hyperventilation

The correct answer is: Hypercapnia

The term that describes elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the blood is hypercapnia. This condition occurs when there is an imbalance between the amount of carbon dioxide produced by the body's metabolism and the amount exhaled by the lungs. When carbon dioxide levels rise, it can lead to respiratory acidosis, where the blood becomes more acidic due to the increased carbonic acid formed from the higher carbon dioxide concentration. Hypoxia refers to low levels of oxygen in the tissues and is not directly related to carbon dioxide levels. Acidosis is a broader term that can refer to an excess of acid in the body, which may be caused by hypercapnia but can also occur due to other metabolic processes. Hyperventilation is a condition where one breathes excessively, often leading to decreased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood rather than elevated levels. Thus, hypercapnia specifically identifies the condition of increased carbon dioxide, distinguishing it from the other terms related to respiratory and metabolic conditions.