5.2 Hypoxia and Respiratory Failure

Question 1

What is hypoxia?

Answer 1

Oxygen deficiency at the tissues

Question 2

What is the result of hypoxia?

Answer 2

Ischaemia

Necrosis

Question 3

How can hypoxia be tested for?

Answer 3

Pulse oximeter

Arterial blood gas analysis

Question 4

What is hypoxaemic hypoxia?

Answer 4

Poor oxygenation in lungs.

Question 5

What is anaemic hypoxia?

Answer 5

Normal pO2 but insufficient haemoglobin to carry O2.

Question 6

What is stagnant hypoxia?

Answer 6

Reduced delivery of O2 due to poor perfusion

Question 7

What is cytotoxic hypoxia?

Answer 7

O2 delivery adequate but tissues unable to utilise O2

Question 8

What is type 1 respiratory failure?

Answer 8

Not enough oxygen enters the blood. CO2 removal not compromised

Question 9

What is type 2 respiratory failure?

Answer 9

Not enough oxygen enters the blood and CO2 cannot leave the blood.

Question 10

What are the causes of respiratory failure?

Answer 10

Ventilation failure
Poor diffusion across membrane
V/Q mismatch

Question 11

How is respiratory failure managed?

Answer 11

Treat cause of respiratory failure
Assisted ventilation
Oxygen therapy

Question 12

What are the clinical features of respiratory failure?

Answer 12

Exercise intolerance
Tachypnoea
Confusion
Central cyanosis
Drowsy