Blood Gas + Respiratory Failure

Question 1

normal pH parameter

Answer 1

7.35 - 7.45

Question 2

normal PaO2 parameter

Answer 2

9.3 - 13.3 kPa

Question 3

normal PaCO2 parameter

Answer 3

4.7 - 6 kPa

Question 4

normal base excess parameter

Answer 4

-2 to +2

Question 5

how does the body compensate for a metabolic alkalosis

Answer 5

by increasing PaCO2 through hypoventilation

Question 6

how does the body compensate for a metabolic acidosis

Answer 6

by decreasing PaCO2 through hyperventilation

Question 7

how does the body compensate for a respiratory acidosis

Answer 7

kidney increases bicarbonate absorption

Question 8

how does the body compensate for a respiratory alkalosis

Answer 8

kidney decreases bicarbonate absorption (increase excretion)

Question 9

what is partial compensation?

Answer 9

pH still abnormal but body making attempt to correct it

e.g. resp acidosis with raised bicarbonate

Question 10

pH 7.49
CO2 6.5
BE 5
What is the abnormality?

Answer 10

ph = alkalosis 
CO2 = raised
BE = raised

metabolic alkalosis with partial respiratory compensation

Question 11

pH 7.25
CO2 7.5
BE -1.5
what is the abnormality?

Answer 11

pH = acidosis 
CO2 = raised
BE = normal 

respiratory acidosis with no compensation

Question 12

What is type 1 respiratory failure caused by

Answer 12

oxygenation failure

- V:Q mismatch

Question 13

What is type 2 respiratory failure caused by

Answer 13

ventilatory failure

• hypoventilation
• decreased area for gas exchange

Question 14

Which type of respiratory failure is hypercapnic

Answer 14

Type 2 - “two things wrong”

• hypoxic
• hypercapnic

Question 15

What pathologies cause type 1 respiratory failure

Answer 15

Pneumonia
ARDS
PE
Pulmonary fibrosis

Question 16

What pathologies cause type 2 respiratory failure

Answer 16

COPD
Opiate OD
CNS injury