Respiratory Failure

Question 1

What indicates resp failure on ABGS

Answer 1

O2 below 8KPa
type I. Hypoxaemia. Oxygenation disorder

CO2 above 7KPa, Type II. Hypercapnia. Diffusion disorder

Question 2

Respiratory acidosis indicators

Answer 2

Ph below 7.35
High CO2 levels- type II resp failure. Diffusion disorder
Caused by: overuse of sedatives, chest muscle weakness

Question 3

Metabolic acidosis

Answer 3

Build up of acids- ketones. Caused by diabetes, kidney disease and dehydration

Question 4

Resp alkalosis signs

Answer 4

Low CO2 levels, caused by hyperventilation hypocapnea

Question 5

Metabolic alkalosis signs

Answer 5

High bicarbonate, prolonged vomit, over use antacids

Question 6

Hypercapnea and hypoxaemia

Answer 6

High CO2, low O2

Question 7

Resp acidosis cause and treatment

Answer 7

High CO2 levels, caused by gas trapping (COPD)

Treated by blowing off CO2, using NIV, purse lip breathing etc

Question 8

Resp alkalosis cause and treatment

Answer 8

Low CO2 levels, caused by hyperventilation

Treated by breathing re-education. Breathe a square, relaxation, slow resp rate

Question 9

Resp type 1 failure

Answer 9

Low O2 levels- below 10KPa, but unaffected CO2 (4.6-6)
Become hypoxaemic at 8KPA
Caused by oxygenation problems: anaemia, COPD, sputum

Question 10

Resp type II failure

Answer 10

Diffusion disorder
Low o2 and high CO2 (above 6KPA) hypercapnic at 7KPa
Caused by mainky COPD

Cannot blow off enough CO2 so becomes resp acididosis

Question 11

High CO2 levels lead to

Answer 11

Respiratory acidosis, as CO2 is acidic

Question 12

Low CO2 levels lead to

Answer 12

Respiratory alkalosis

Question 13

How to determine if respiratory failure is compensating

Answer 13

Make the PH 7.4:
if the PH is below 7.4 then CO2 is driving acidosis and higher levels of HCO3 are compensating for high CO2. Respiratory acidosis

If ph is above 7.4 it is metabolic alkalosis, as HCO3 is driving the alkalosis but high CO2 levels are trying to compensate.