Respiratory Failure

Question 1

When does respiratory failure occur

Answer 1

When there is inadequate gaseous exchange in the lungs

Question 2

How would you describe type 1 respiratory failure

Answer 2

Characterised by hypoxaemia (P_aO₂ < 8 kPa) and a normal or low CO₂

Low O2

Normal CO2

Question 3

How would you describe type 2 respiratory failure

Answer 3

Characterised by hypoxaemia (PaO2 < 8 kPa) and hypercapnia (PaCO2 > 6.5 kPa)

Low O2

High CO2

Question 4

Fill in the blanks

Answer 4

Question 5

What is the key investigation for respiratory failure

Answer 5

Arterial blood gas (ABG)

Question 6

Which respiratory failure is commonly caused by a ventilation- perfusion (V/Q) mismatch

Answer 6

Type 1

The volume of air passing in and out of the lungs is comparatively smaller than the volume of blood perfusing the lungs.

Question 7

Name some of the common causes of type 1 respiratory failure

Answer 7

Asthma

Congestive Cardiac Failure

Pulmonary embolism

Pneumonia

Pneumothorax

Question 8

What respiratory failure is commonly caused by alveolar hypoventilation

Answer 8

Type 2

the lungs fail to effectively oxygenate and blow off carbon dioxide.

Question 9

What is the aetiology of type 2 respiratory failure

Answer 9

Alveolar hypoventilation – the lungs fail to effectively oxygenate and blow off carbon dioxide.

Question 10

What is the aetiology of type 1 respiratory failure

Answer 10

• Most commonly caused by a ventilation- perfusion (V/Q) mismatch
• The volume of air passing in and out of the lungs is comparatively smaller than the volume of blood perfusing the lungs.

Question 11

Name some of the causes of type 2 respiratory failure

Answer 11

Exacerbation of COPD
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Guillan Barre syndrome

Motor neuron disease

Opiate Overdose

Rib fracture

Question 12

What is the non-invasive ventilation of choice in a patient with Type 1 respiratory failure

Answer 12

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

Question 13

What is the non-invasive ventilation of choice in a patient with Type 2 respiratory failure

Answer 13

Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP)

Delivers higher air pressure during inspiration to aid blowing off the retained CO2 (characteristic of T2 respiratory failure)

Question 14

Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) is a form of non-invasive ventilation which can be used in patients with what kind of respiratory failure

Answer 14

Type 2 respiratory failure

Question 15

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a form of non-invasive ventilation which can be used in patients with what kind of respiratory failure

Answer 15

Type 1 respiratory failure