What is the priority intervention for a patient experiencing respiratory acidosis?

Rationale: A. Sodium bicarbonate is not the first-line treatment for respiratory acidosis. It is rarely used because the underlying issue is inadequate ventilation, not metabolic imbalance. B. Increasing ventilatory support is the priority intervention. Respiratory acidosis results from hypoventilation and CO₂ retention, so improving ventilation (e.g., mechanical ventilation, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, or adjusting ventilator settings) directly corrects the problem. C. Supplemental oxygen may be necessary if hypoxemia is present, but oxygen alone will not correct CO₂ retention and could worsen hypercapnia in COPD patients if overused. D. Deep breathing exercises can help in mild cases but are insufficient for acute or severe respiratory acidosis, where immediate ventilatory support is needed.