Asthma Flashcards
Q: State the signs and symptoms of respiratory failure. Dyspnea
tachypnea
Q: What are the cardinal symptoms of respiratory failure? Dyspnea and altered mental status.
Q: What are the types of respiratory failure? Type I (hypoxemic) and Type II (hypercapnic).
Q: What defines Type I respiratory failure? PaO2 < 60 mmHg with normal or low PaCO2 – due to V/Q mismatch
diffusion impairment
Q: What defines Type II respiratory failure? PaCO2 > 50 mmHg ± hypoxemia – due to alveolar hypoventilation.
Q: What are causes of Type I respiratory failure? Pneumonia
pulmonary edema
Q: What are causes of Type II respiratory failure? COPD
drug overdose
Q: What is the key investigation to diagnose respiratory failure? Arterial blood gas (ABG) – to assess PaO2
PaCO2
Q: What are other supportive investigations in respiratory failure? CXR
ECG
Q: What is the management of Type I respiratory failure? High-flow oxygen therapy
treat underlying cause (e.g.
Q: What is the management of Type II respiratory failure? Cautious oxygen therapy
non-invasive ventilation (e.g.
Q: Why is oxygen therapy given cautiously in Type II RF? To avoid suppressing hypoxic respiratory drive and worsening CO2 retention.
Q: What is the role of NIV in respiratory failure? Non-invasive ventilation (BiPAP or CPAP) supports ventilation in COPD
OHS
Q: When is mechanical ventilation indicated in respiratory failure? Failure of NIV
respiratory arrest
Q: What are complications of respiratory failure? Cardiac arrhythmias
respiratory arrest
Q: What is the difference between acute and chronic respiratory failure? Acute – rapid onset with acidemia; Chronic – compensatory renal bicarbonate retention
normal pH.
Q: What is acute-on-chronic respiratory failure? Decompensation in someone with chronic respiratory failure (e.g.
COPD exacerbation).
Q: What is the normal range for PaO2 and PaCO2 in ABG? PaO2 ~ 80–100 mmHg; PaCO2 ~ 35–45 mmHg.
Q: What signs suggest CO2 retention in respiratory failure? Flushed skin
bounding pulse
Q: What is the role of corticosteroids in respiratory failure? Used in obstructive airway disease (e.g.
COPD
