What are the potential consequences of untreated hypoxemia and hypercapnia?

Untreated hypoxemia and hypercapnia can lead to severe physiological consequences, with cardiac dysrhythmias and cardiac arrest being major risks. Hypoxemia, a state of low oxygen levels in the blood, deprives vital organs of the necessary oxygen to function properly. This can cause stress on the cardiovascular system, leading to irregular heart rhythms (cardiac dysrhythmias).

Moreover, hypercapnia, which is the excess carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, can cause respiratory acidosis. The increase in carbon dioxide can lead to central nervous system depression, which may impair heart function and potentially result in cardiac arrest. The combination of inadequate oxygen and excessive carbon dioxide can profoundly destabilize the heart's electrical activity, leading it to malfunction.

The severity of these conditions illustrates the critical nature of promptly addressing hypoxemia and hypercapnia to prevent such life-threatening outcomes. In contrast, other options like improved oxygenation status, increased respiratory rate, or enhanced pulmonary function would not occur in the presence of untreated hypoxemia and hypercapnia. Instead, the body struggles to maintain homeostasis, resulting in the significant risks associated with cardiac complications.