<P> Hypoventilation ( also known as respiratory depression ) occurs when ventilation is inadequate ( hypo meaning `` below '' ) to perform needed gas exchange . By definition it causes an increased concentration of carbon dioxide ( hypercapnia ) and respiratory acidosis . Hypoventilation is not synonymous with respiratory arrest , in which breathing ceases entirely and death occurs within minutes due to hypoxia and leads rapidly into complete anoxia , although both are medical emergencies . Hypoventilation can be considered a precursor to hypoxia and its lethality is attributed to hypoxia with carbon dioxide toxicity . </P>
<P> Hypoventilation ( also known as respiratory depression ) occurs when ventilation is inadequate ( hypo meaning `` below '' ) to perform needed gas exchange . By definition it causes an increased concentration of carbon dioxide ( hypercapnia ) and respiratory acidosis . Hypoventilation is not synonymous with respiratory arrest , in which breathing ceases entirely and death occurs within minutes due to hypoxia and leads rapidly into complete anoxia , although both are medical emergencies . Hypoventilation can be considered a precursor to hypoxia and its lethality is attributed to hypoxia with carbon dioxide toxicity . </P>
what is the relatively rare condition that can cause respiratory ​ depression
what is the relatively rare condition that can cause respiratory ​ depression
hypoxia
hypoxia