Respiratory Failure

Question 1

Define respiratory failure

Answer 1

Inability of lungs to meet the metabolic demands of the body

Question 2

Define Type I respiratory failure

Answer 2

Type I: most common form
Hypoxemic (decreased O2)
SPO2 <90%
PaO2 <60%
Due to V/Q mismatch or shunt, hypoventilation, diffusion limitation

Question 3

Define Type II respiratory failure

Answer 3

Type II: elevated PaCO2 (acute or chronic)
Less common than Type I
PaCO2 >45mmHg
Caused by drug OD, acute muscle weakness, severe lung disease
Most common in pts with chronic CO2 retention after they suffer an additional insult