What can result from inadequate ventilation in a patient?

Inadequate ventilation can lead to hypoxia, which is a condition characterized by insufficient oxygen reaching the tissues of the body. When ventilation is insufficient, carbon dioxide (CO2) builds up in the bloodstream, and oxygen levels drop, causing a decrease in the oxygen available for cellular metabolism. This lack of oxygen results in the body's tissues and organs not functioning optimally, which can lead to serious complications if not addressed quickly. Hypoxia can present with various symptoms, including confusion, impaired motor function, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.

The other choices, while they may be related to inadequate ventilation to some degree, do not directly represent the most immediate and critical consequence. For example, while increased heart rate can occur in response to hypoxia as the body attempts to compensate for low oxygen levels, it is not a direct result of inadequate ventilation in the same way hypoxia itself is. Similarly, elevated blood pressure and decreased respiratory effort may occur in different pathological contexts but are not exclusive indicators of inadequate ventilation. Therefore, hypoxia stands out as the primary and most acute result of inadequate ventilation.