What are the effects of hyperventilation on arterial blood gases?

Hyperventilation is characterized by an increased rate and depth of breathing, leading to the excessive expulsion of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the bloodstream. As a result, the primary effects included in the correct answer are decreased carbon dioxide levels, a condition known as hypocapnia, and respiratory alkalosis, which occurs due to a rise in blood pH as the CO2 decreases.

When the body hyperventilates, the rapid breathing leads to reduced CO2 in the blood, disrupting the delicate balance of carbonic acid and bicarbonate in the bloodstream. This drop in CO2 results in increased blood pH, and the condition can consequently develop into respiratory alkalosis, where the blood becomes too alkaline. The body's attempts to compensate for this may involve various physiological mechanisms, including alterations in renal function or bicarbonate levels, but the immediate effect is a significant drop in arterial carbon dioxide.

In essence, B succinctly captures the physiological consequences of hyperventilation, linking decreased carbon dioxide levels to the resulting metabolic changes, which are critical for understanding respiratory mechanics and gas exchange in clinical settings.