Drone Pilot Practice Exam

Which condition may result when someone hyperventilates?

1. Increased oxygen in the blood

2. Unconsciousness

3. Headaches

4. Severe fatigue

The correct answer is: Unconsciousness

Hyperventilation occurs when a person breathes rapidly and deeply, leading to a reduction in carbon dioxide levels in the blood. This significant drop in CO2 can cause a change in blood pH, resulting in respiratory alkalosis. As a result of these physiological changes, the body may respond with various symptoms, one of which is unconsciousness. The brain, being sensitive to fluctuations in CO2 and oxygen levels, may not function optimally under these circumstances, potentially leading to a loss of consciousness as the body reacts to the altered state. The other conditions such as increased oxygen in the blood, headaches, and severe fatigue may not be direct or primary results of hyperventilation. While hyperventilation may lead to some transient feelings of light-headedness or other mild effects, the most significant and potentially severe outcome in certain cases remains the risk of unconsciousness due to the drastic changes in the body's respiratory balance and subsequent effects on oxygen delivery to the brain.