What effect does his hyperventilation have on the pH of his blood?

Question

A student entered a chemistry class to take a final examination. After seeing the questions on the exam he had a panic attack. He started to breathe very rapidly and felt he could not get enough air. Soon thereafter he started to feel faint and he got a tingling sensation in his neck. What effect his hyperventilation have on the pH of his blood? Can you suggest a possible quick remedy for his condition? And what is the equation involved?

Answer 1

It decreases, since the Carbon dioxide concentration will be reduced, more carbonic acid will be converted to carbon dioxide and water, therby decreasing the pH. A quick remedy would be breathing in a paper bag, this would increase the partial pressure of CO2 in the lungs and raise it in the blood, bringing pH back to normal

Answer 2

The condition of Hyperventilation is most always caused by an emotional condition,real or imagined,the results are the same.Over breathing causes a change of blood PH,by lowering the level of carbon dioxide,its responsible for governing the respiratory center in the brain,and keeping the "drive " at a normal rate.Along with rapid pulse and loss of consciousness etc. The respiratory pH will be in the state of alkalosis.Treatment would be to have the victim hold their breath,then have them breathe using a "paper " bag over their face to allow the build up of the missing carbon dioxide,only breathing like this for several minutes,will end the episode of Hyperventilation,and the pH will normalize itself. Some diseases will cause this,and treatment would include arterial blood gases,frequently the blood pH will be "acidic" Take care. SW RNP

Answer 3

Contrary to previous answers hyperventilation INCREASES your pH. It DOES make you alkalotic ie pH = >7.45. If you hyperventilate and blow off enough of your carbon dioxide you will pass out and then your hindbrain will take over and slow down your respiratory rate and then you will wake up. Do not experiment with this as is is inherently dangerous to do this intentionally. Breathing into a paper bag ensures that you inhale some of the carbon dioxide you exhaled. The equation shown in the previous answer is the correct one. In the future, if your grade depends on it, try reading your text book rather than looking for answers from people on line.

Answer 4

hyperventilation leads to a decrease in CO2, thus raising blood pH (alkalosis). If the student breathes slower, or into a paper bag, to increase the concentration of CO2, this will start to lower the pH towards normal.

bicarbonate/carbon dioxide buffer system
H2O + CO2 <--> H2CO3 <--> H+ + HCO3-

Answer 5

It isn't.