Your Patient Has a Long History of COPD with CO₂

Multiple Choice

Your patient has a long history of COPD with CO₂ retention.He now is admitted for acute respiratory failure due to a lung infection.His PaCO₂ has acutely elevated to over 70 mmHg.The physician decides to intubate and use mechanical ventilation.What should be your goal with the mechanical ventilation?

A) Return the PaCO₂ to about 40 mmHg
B) Return the PaCO₂ to about 50 mmHg
C) Lower the PaCO₂ enough to return the pH to 7.35
D) Lower the PaCO₂ enough to return the pH to 7.50