Oxygen and respiratory failure Flashcards
In what 2 ways is oxygen transported in the blood?
- Bound to haemoglobin (98.5%)
* Dissolved in plasma (1.5%)
What is type 1 respiratory failure?
Short of oxygen (hypoxia) without increased CO2 (hypercapnia)
What is type 2 respiratory failure?
Short of oxygen (hypoxia) and increased CO2 (hypercapnia)
What diseases cause type 1 and type 2 respiratory failure?
No diseases cause type 1 and type 2 respiratory failure - it is all about physiology
What is the response to primary hypoxaemia in normal individuals?
- Increase tidal volume (depth)
- Increase respiratory rate
(normal PO2, PCO2 lowered)
What is the response to primary hypoxaemia in individuals with poor lung function e.g. COPD?
Low PO2, normal PCO2
What happens if individuals with normal lung function and primary hypoxaemia get tired?
End up with type 1 respiratory failure (low PO2, normal PCO2)
What happens if individuals with normal lung function and primary hypoxaemia become extremely tired?
Results in hypoventilation - acute type 2 respiratory failure (low PO2, high PCO2 - respiratory acidosis)
What is the treatment for both type 1 and type 2 respiratory failure?
Oxygen
What is SaO2?
Oxygen saturation of arterial blood
What is SpO2?
Oxygen saturation as detected by the pulse oximeter (percutaneous oxygen saturation)
How is SpO2 measured?
With a pulse oximeter
Why is arterial blood bright red and venous blood dark red?
- Oxygenated haemoglobin is bright red
* Deoxygenated haemoglobin is dark red
How does a pulse oximeter measure the percentage of oxygenated haemoglobin?
Measuring the ratio of infrared and red light
What is PaO2?
The amount of oxygen dissolved in blood plasma
Does the amount of oxygen bound to haemoglobin increase in proportion to partial pressure?
No, it increases as partial pressure of oxygen increases but not in proportion
What is the standard oxygen dissociation curve?
Plots PO2 against %HbO2 at a temperature of 37oC and pH 7.4
What is FiO2?
Fraction of Inspired Oxygen; it is the fraction of oxygen a patient is inhaling produced by an oxygen device such as a nasal cannula or mask
Why is it important to give controlled levels of oxygen rather than all the oxygen?
If giving huge amounts of oxygen, SATs will remain high despite a low PO2
Why should no one in hospital (unless under anaesthesia) have an oxygen saturation of over 98%?
Renders SATs completely useless
In which individual scout high levels of oxygen be poisonous?
Those at risk of type 2 respiratory failure
Why should SATs remain at 88% - 92% for individuals with COPD?
Type 2 respiratory failure - increased PO2 results in very high PCO2, causing acidosis
Why is acidosis dangerous?
Stops enzymes functioning
What are examples of people at risk of type 2 respiratory failure?
- COPD
- Kyphoscoliosis
- Neuromuscular weakness (causes hypoventilation)
- Obesity
How doe obesity cause type 2 respiratory failure?
- Carry huge amount of weight on chest - cannot physically breathe
- Abdomen full of fat - diaphragm cannot descend
Why are patients with type 2 respiratory failure sensitive to high concentrations of oxygen?
Develop hypercarbia, become acidotic very quickly