Investigation Of The Respiratory System

Question 1

What is the advantage of bronchoscopy over other imaging methods used to investigate the respiratory system?

Answer 1

A biopsy can be taken simultaneously to looking at the airways

Question 2

What are the arterial blood gas results for type I respiratory failure?

Answer 2

Low oxygen less than 8kPa

Question 3

What is type I respiratory failure caused by?

Answer 3

Factors which affect gas exchange such as pneumonia, cardiac failure or pulmonary embolism

Question 4

What are the arterial blood gas results of type II respiratory failure?

Answer 4

Low oxygen less than 8kPa

High carbon dioxide over 6kPa

Question 5

What causes type II respiratory failure?

Answer 5

Type II respiratory failure can be the end stage of type I failure or could be due to a problem with the nerves which control breathing for example because of neuromuscular weakness, severe fatigue or opiate overdose