Respiratory Failure/ARDS Flashcards
what is acute respiratory failure
when oxygenation, ventilation, or both are inadequate
Description
1. One or both of gas exchange functions of lungs compromised
2. Insufficient O2 transferred to the blood
3. Inadequate CO2 removal
classifications for acute respiratory failure
- Impaired gas exchange - Hypoxemic respiratory failure (failure of
oxygenation) - Impaired ventilation - Hypercapnic respiratory failure (failure of
ventilation) - Combined failures (failures of oxygenation & ventilation)
mechanisms of hypoxemia respiratory failure
- Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
a. Management - Oxygen therapy: first step to reverse V/Q mismatch; treat underlying cause - Shunt
a. anatomic or intrapulmonary shunt
b. Management: Oxygen therapy not enough; may require mechanical ventilation with high FiO2 - Diffusion limitation
a. Thickened alveolar membrane - Alveolar hypoventilation (Seen primarily with Hypercapnic respiratory
Failure)
a. Leads to increased PaCO2
Categories of Hypercapnic respiratory failure
- CNS problems
- Neuromuscular conditions
- Chest wall abnormalities
- Conditions affecting the airways and/or alveoli (obstruction and air trapping leading to respiratory muscle fatigue)
clinical manifestations of acute respiratory failure
- Sudden or gradual onset
- Change in mental status – FIRST sign resp failure
- EARLY signs – tachycardia, tachypnea, mild hypertension
- Dyspnea
- Other respiratory findings: prolonged expiration, nasal flaring, retractions, use accessory muscles, SpO2 <80%
- Skin cool/clammy, diaphoretic
- Anxiety
- Fatigue, inability to speak in complete sentences without pausing to Breathe
- Decreasing LOC - Lethargy
- LATE signs- hypotension, dysrhythmias, cyanosis ( PaO2 45 mmHg or less), paradoxical breathing or abdominal wall movement, coma
acute respiratory failure management: diagnosis
(1) Chest xray
(2) ABGs
(3) Oxygen saturation
(4) CBC, BMP, urinalysis
(5) Sputum, blood cultures
(6) CT or V/Q lung scan
acute respiratory failure management
(1) Result of one or more diseases involving the lungs or other body systems
(2) Must treat the respiratory failure as well as the underlying cause
(3) Oxygen therapy
(a) Correct hypoxemia (maintain PaO2 60 mmHg or > SaO2 >90%)
(4) Mobilization of secretions
(a) positioning, effective cough, chest physiotherapy, Suctioning and airway management, hydration and Humidification, positive pressure ventilation
(5) Medications
(a) Reduce airway inflammation and bronchospasm w/Steroids, bronchodilators
(b) Relieve pulmonary congestion. with Diuretics, Morphine, Nitroglcerin
(c ) Treat infection with IV Antibiotics
(d) Reduce anxiety, pain and restlessness w/ Benzodiazepines, opioids
(4) Nutritional therapy
(a) Adequate protein intake
(b) Enteral or parenteral feeding start in 24-48 hours
complications with acute respiratory failure
(1) Cardiac failure
(2) Multi-organ dysfunction
diagnoses for acute respiratory failure
(1) Impaired gas exchange
(2) Impaired respiratory system function
assessment for acute respiratory failure
(a) Vital signs, RAP, and O2 sats
(b) Cardiac Monitoring - Dysrhythmias
(c) Neuro assessment – changes LOC
(d) Respiratory
(i) Breath Sounds
(ii) Patient’s position
(iii) Assess work of breathing
(e) Skin assessment
actions for acute respiratory failure
(a) Administer oxygen as prescribed
(b) Be prepared for intubation and mechanical ventilation.
(c) Administer medications as ordered
(d) Elevate the head of the bed at least 30 degrees, mobilize to chair
(e) Bilateral lung disorders - Reposition q 2 hours.
(f) If unilateral lung disease, position good lung down
(g) Assess need for suctioning, chest physiotherapy (postural drainage, percussion, vibration)
(h) Administer IV fluids, monitor I&O
(i) Monitor lab values, ABG’s, cultures
(j) Administer nutritional support
teaching for acute respiratory failure
(a) Disorder or disease teaching
(b) Medications
(c) Breathing techniques (pursed lip breathing, diaphragmatic breathing), effective coughing
(d) Energy conservation
(e) Exercise
(f) Prevention of infection
(g) Diet and adequate hydration
(h) Smoking cessation
prevention for acute respiratory failure
(a) identify at-risk patients, initiate early interventions
(b) Deep breathing and coughing, incentive spirometry, early ambulation
(c) Prevent: atelectasis, pneumonia, complications of immobility, and optimize hydration and nutrition
describe Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Acute onset (less than 7 days) of refractory hypoxemia and bilateral infiltrates
causes for ARDS
- Caused by direct or indirect injury to lungs – Sepsis most common
- Direct injury
a) Aspiration, pneumonia, sepsis
b) Other causes: chest trauma, embolism, inhalation injury, near-drowning, O2 toxicity - Indirect injury
a) Sepsis, massive trauma, severe TBI, shock
b) Other: pancreatitis, cardiopulmonary bypass, DIC, opioid overdose, multiple blood transfusions (TRALI)