A 27-year-old woman at 30 weeks of gestation goes to the obstetrician for a prenatal visit. During the visit, she expresses concern that she has been breathing faster than usual. Lab results revealed the following:
Based on the data, what conclusions can you draw about the level of the patient's alveolar ventilation?
a. Alveolar ventilation exceeds her minute ventilation.
b. Alveolar ventilation is inadequate due to rapid, shallow breathing.
c. Alveolar ventilation is less than her dead space ventilation.
d. Alveolar ventilation matches the increased CO₂ production during pregnancy.
e. Alveolar ventilation is greater than normal.