Acute respiratory failure Flashcards
1
Q
What is respiratory failure?
A
impairment of gaseous exchange
2
Q
What is type 1 respiratory failure?
A
- impaired gas exchange
- results in hypoxaemia
3
Q
What is type 2 respiratory failure?
A
- failure of gas movement in and out of the lungs
- results in hypercapnia
4
Q
What are conditions that cause type 1 respiratory failure?
A
- V/Q mismatch (pneumonia, PE)
- Impaired diffusion (pulmonary fibrosis, COPD)
- Shunt
- reduced O2 inspiration eg altitude
- hypoventilation
5
Q
What are conditions that cause type 2 respiratory failure?
A
- intrinsic lung disease (severe COPD)
- central depression
- completely blocked upper airways
- ventilatory neuromuscular failure
6
Q
What are symptoms of acute respiratory failure?
A
- SOB
- drowsiness
- confusion
- headache
7
Q
What are signs of acute respiratory failure?
A
- use of accessory muscles
- increased RR, irregular breathing
- low sats
- confusion, drowsiness
8
Q
What are the investigations for acute respiratory failure?
A
- ABG are the only investigation that can provide accurate info
- FBE (anaemia)
- CXR
- CT
9
Q
What is treatment for acute respiratory failure?
A
- supplemental oxygen (not in chronic hypercapnia)
- reduce resp workload
- maximise ventilation
- treat underlying cause
