Too little CO2 can decrease the casualty's drive to breathe. True or false

Too little CO2 can decrease the casualty's drive to breathe. True or false

• A. False
• B. Not Enough Data
• C. True
• D. Depends on Rate

Answer: (C)

Breathing is driven mainly by carbon dioxide levels. Central chemoreceptors in the brain respond to the acidity created by CO2 in the cerebrospinal fluid. When CO2 is normal or high, these receptors push the body to breathe more. If CO2 becomes too low, the stimulus to breathe drops, so the casualty’s drive to breathe decreases. This is why overzealous ventilation can suppress automatic breathing, especially in an unconscious person who relies on this automatic drive. Peripheral receptors that detect oxygen levels can kick in if oxygen is very low, but they don’t override the effect of a low CO2 on the central drive. So the statement is true.

Breathing is driven mainly by carbon dioxide levels. Central chemoreceptors in the brain respond to the acidity created by CO2 in the cerebrospinal fluid. When CO2 is normal or high, these receptors push the body to breathe more. If CO2 becomes too low, the stimulus to breathe drops, so the casualty’s drive to breathe decreases. This is why overzealous ventilation can suppress automatic breathing, especially in an unconscious person who relies on this automatic drive. Peripheral receptors that detect oxygen levels can kick in if oxygen is very low, but they don’t override the effect of a low CO2 on the central drive. So the statement is true.