The pediatric nurse is caring for a 2-year-old with a respiratory rate of 42 breaths per minute and a FLACC score of 8. Which acid-base imbalance does the pediatric team expect to find with sustained tachypnea?

Rationale: A. Metabolic acidosis occurs from conditions like diarrhea, diabetic ketoacidosis, or renal failure, not from tachypnea. B. Respiratory acidosis develops from hypoventilation (slow breathing, CO₂ retention), not tachypnea. C. Sustained tachypnea leads to excessive exhalation of CO₂, which reduces carbonic acid and increases blood pH, causing respiratory alkalosis. D. Metabolic alkalosis results from vomiting, diuretic use, or NG suctioning—not tachypnea.