Which of the following mechanically ventilated patients shows clinical signs of hypoventilation?
a. A patient who is cool to the touch and has negative T waves on the ECG
b. A patient who has twitchy extremities and also atrial flutter on the ECG
c. A patient who is anxious and hypertensive and has elevated T waves on the ECG
d. A patient who has cool, twitchy extremi-ties and also low, rounded T waves on the ECG
ANS: C
Anxiety and hypertension (mild to moderate acidosis) are clinical signs of hypoventilation, along with elevated T waves on an ECG. Patients with hyperventilation are cool to the touch, have twitchy muscles from hypokalemia, and have low, rounded T waves, atrial flutter, or negative T waves on the ECG.
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