The factors that determine the values for alveolar pO2 and pCO2 are: The partial pressures (in torr) for a human at rest:
The alveolar pO2 is not routinely measured but is calculated from blood gas measurements by the alveolar gas equation.
The partial pressure of carbon dioxide, along with the pH, can be used to differentiate between metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis, and respiratory alkalosis.
Hypoventilation exists when the ratio of carbon dioxide production to alveolar ventilation increases above normal values – greater than 45mmHg.
If the pH is also greater than 7.45 this is respiratory alkalosis.