What is the main consequence of hyperventilating a patient?

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Hyperventilating a patient leads primarily to decreased cardiac output due to the effects of extreme changes in carbon dioxide levels in the bloodstream. When a patient hyperventilates, they exhale an excessive amount of carbon dioxide, resulting in a condition known as hypocapnia. This drop in carbon dioxide levels causes vasoconstriction of blood vessels, particularly in the brain, which can reduce cerebral blood flow.

As a consequence of decreased blood flow and the resulting changes in blood pressures, the heart may not pump as effectively, leading to a reduction in cardiac output. Additionally, hyperventilation can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, light-headedness, or tingling sensations due to decreased cerebral perfusion. Therefore, the main consequence of hyperventilating a patient is indeed decreased cardiac output.

While options such as increased tidal volume, improved oxygen saturation, and increased respiratory rate might occur in a hyperventilating patient, they do not represent the most critical and direct consequence compared to the effects on cardiac output.

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