A Patient Has Severe Pneumonia, Which Has Thickened the Respiratory

Multiple Choice

A patient has severe pneumonia, which has thickened the respiratory membrane. Despite oxygen therapy, he still has rapid respiration and feels as if he is not getting enough air. This is because

A) the O₂ increases the stimulation of the carotid and aortic bodies.
B) the O₂ stimulates the respiratory center to increase the respiratory rate.
C) his blood pH increased and stimulated an increase in his respiratory rate.
D) even though he is receiving enough O₂, CO₂ and H⁺ accumulate in his blood and cause the respiratory rate to continue to increase.
E) O₂ cannot diffuse across the thickened membrane.