Which treatment is recommended for respiratory alkalosis due to anxiety?

Which treatment is recommended for respiratory alkalosis due to anxiety?

• A. Increase ventilation
• B. Oxygen therapy
• C. Lorazepam
• D. Administer bicarbonate

Answer: (C)

Respiratory alkalosis from anxiety happens when rapid, shallow breathing blows off CO2, lowering hydrogen ion concentration and raising pH. The key is to calm the patient and reduce the excessive ventilation. A benzodiazepine like lorazepam provides rapid anxiolysis, lowers the respiratory drive, and slows breathing, allowing CO2 to normalize and the pH to return toward normal. Increasing ventilation would push CO2 further down and worsen the alkalosis. Oxygen therapy is only helpful if there’s low blood oxygen, which isn’t the underlying problem here. Administering bicarbonate would not correct the issue and can worsen the imbalance.

Respiratory alkalosis from anxiety happens when rapid, shallow breathing blows off CO2, lowering hydrogen ion concentration and raising pH. The key is to calm the patient and reduce the excessive ventilation. A benzodiazepine like lorazepam provides rapid anxiolysis, lowers the respiratory drive, and slows breathing, allowing CO2 to normalize and the pH to return toward normal. Increasing ventilation would push CO2 further down and worsen the alkalosis. Oxygen therapy is only helpful if there’s low blood oxygen, which isn’t the underlying problem here. Administering bicarbonate would not correct the issue and can worsen the imbalance.