What effect does hypoventilation have on blood CO2 levels?

Hypoventilation leads to an inadequate exchange of gases in the lungs, resulting in reduced airflow. This decreased ventilation means less carbon dioxide is expelled from the body with each breath. As a consequence, carbon dioxide begins to accumulate in the bloodstream, leading to elevated levels, a condition known as hypercapnia. The retention of CO2 can result in various physiological effects, such as respiratory acidosis, and can significantly alter the body's acid-base balance. Therefore, hypoventilation directly contributes to an increase in blood CO2 levels, making the correct association that it results in levels that are too high.