What is a common cause of respiratory acidosis?

Respiratory acidosis occurs when the body is unable to eliminate carbon dioxide (CO2) effectively, leading to an increase in blood CO2 levels, which subsequently lowers the pH of the blood. This condition is primarily associated with impaired respiratory function.

Failure of pulmonary ventilation is a direct contributor to respiratory acidosis as it indicates that the lungs are not adequately removing CO2 from the bloodstream. This can result from a variety of reasons such as conditions that inhibit lung function (like COPD, asthma, or pneumonia), neuromuscular disorders affecting the respiratory muscles, or obstructions in the airways. Consequently, as CO2 accumulates, the body's ability to maintain a neutral pH is compromised, leading to the acidosis.

On the other hand, inadequate circulation pertains more to issues with the heart or blood vessels rather than specifically respiratory function. Hyperventilation typically results in respiratory alkalosis due to excessive CO2 expulsion. Ketoacidosis is related to metabolic processes, particularly in the context of diabetes, and does not directly involve the respiratory system's function in CO2 regulation. Thus, failure of pulmonary ventilation is the primary and direct cause of respiratory acidosis.