Which condition is characterized by impaired gas exchange despite breathing, often leading to increased carbon dioxide in the blood?

Severe atelectasis is characterized by the collapse of a part or all of a lung, leading to impaired gas exchange. When significant portions of lung tissue are not aerated properly, oxygen cannot effectively enter the bloodstream, and carbon dioxide cannot be adequately expelled. This condition decreases the surface area available for gas exchange, resulting in lower oxygen levels and higher levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.

In this context, patients may present with difficulty breathing and hypoxia, as well as signs of respiratory distress. The accumulation of carbon dioxide due to impaired exchange is a direct consequence of the volume of lung affected by atelectasis. Therefore, the condition can lead to respiratory failure if not addressed promptly.

In contrast, bronchospasm primarily involves the constriction of airways, which can also impair gas exchange but typically does not correlate directly with the structural collapse of lung tissue. Hypoventilation syndrome refers to inadequate ventilation leading to increased carbon dioxide levels but does not necessarily involve the collapse of lung tissue. Finally, respiratory alkalosis is often the result of hyperventilation, where too much carbon dioxide is expelled leading to a rise in blood pH, which is the opposite of what would be expected in a condition characterized by increased carbon dioxide due to poor