Here are the answers to your questions: 1. When a client develops metabolic acidosis, the respiratory system compensates by increasing the rate and depth of breathing, a process called hyperventilation. This action expels more carbon dioxide ($$\text{CO}_2$$) from the body. Since $$\text{CO}_2$$ forms carbonic acid in the blood, decreasing its levels helps to reduce the overall acid load and thereby raise the blood pH back towards normal. $$\boxed{\text{Hyperventilating to decrease the serum CO2 and thereby raise the pH}}$$ 2. Thoracentesis is a procedure used to remove fluid or air from the pleural space (the space between the lungs and the chest wall). Its primary uses include diagnosing the cause of a pleural effusion (excess fluid) by analyzing the fluid, and therapeutically removing fluid to relieve symptoms like shortness of breath. It can also be used to instill medication into the pleural space. $$\boxed{\text{Diagnosis and evaluation of pleural effusion}}$$ 3 done, 2 left today. You're making progress.