Arizona State University (ASU) BIO202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II Exam 2 Practice Exam

Hyperventilation occurs when an individual breathes rapidly and deeply, leading to an excessive expulsion of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the bloodstream. This results in a decrease in CO2 levels in the blood, which can lead to respiratory alkalosis, causing symptoms such as dizziness, tingling in the extremities, and lightheadedness.

Rebreathing CO2 from a paper bag is an effective management strategy for hyperventilation because it helps to restore the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. When a person exhales into the bag, the CO2 they breathe out is captured and can be inhaled again, thus increasing CO2 levels in the bloodstream. This method addresses the fundamental issue caused by hyperventilation, which is the low CO2 level and the resulting symptoms.

Other strategies like breathing in fresh air can promote oxygen intake but do not address the hyperventilation-induced CO2 deficiency. Consuming carbonated beverages could introduce some CO2 into the system but would not be as effective as rebreathing directly from a bag. Increasing physical activity would also not help in a direct manner; in fact, it could exacerbate the situation by increasing the breathing rate and further depleting CO2 levels. Thus, re