A Patient Diagnosed with Sepsis Who Is Being Mechanically Ventilated $\dot V$

Multiple Choice

A patient diagnosed with sepsis who is being mechanically ventilated has a combined minute ventilation of 25 L/min with a PₐCO₂ of 38 mm Hg.The reason for these findings is most likely which of the following?
1) Increased $\dot V$ CO₂
2) Decreased $\dot V$ CO₂
3) Increased VD/Vᴛ
4) Decreased VD/Vᴛ

A) 1 and 3 only
B) 1 and 4 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 2 and 4 only