The nurse is aware that the compensating mechanism that is most likely

The nurse is aware that the compensating mechanism that is most likely to occur in the presence of respiratory acidosis is:

1. Hyperventilation to decrease the CO2 levels
2. Hypoventilation to increase the CO2 levels
3. Retention of HCO3 by the kidneys to increase the pH level
4. Excretion of HCO3 by the kidneys to decrease the pH level

ANSWER

ANS: 3
The compensating mechanism in the presence of respiratory acidosis is retention of bicarbonate by the kidneys to increase the pH level. Hyperventilation would be the compensating mechanism in metabolic acidosis to decrease CO2 levels. Hypoventilation would be the compensating mech-anism in metabolic alkalosis to increase CO2 levels. The compensating mechanism in the presence of metabolic alkalosis is excretion of bicarbonate to decrease the pH level.