Which condition can worsen if auto-PEEP is not monitored?

Auto-PEEP, or intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure, occurs when a patient does not fully exhale before the next breath is delivered by the ventilator. This buildup of pressure can lead to inadequate alveolar ventilation and subsequently result in respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis is characterized by an elevated carbon dioxide level in the blood, which can occur if the patient is not effectively removing CO2 due to incomplete exhalation and inadequate ventilation.

When auto-PEEP is present and not monitored, it can worsen respiratory acidosis because the retained CO2 continuously builds up as the patient can't exhale fully. This condition can lead to an imbalance in the acid-base status of the body, producing symptoms such as confusion or decreased respiratory drive, requiring careful management to ensure that the patient receives adequate ventilation.

In contrast, other options such as hypoglycemia, hypertension, and cardiac arrhythmias do not have a direct correlation with the presence of auto-PEEP in the same way that respiratory acidosis does. While these conditions can affect a patient's overall health and may arise due to different underlying issues, they are not specifically exacerbated by auto-PEEP in the context of mechanical ventilation.