Respiratory failure type 1 vs. type 2

Question 1

What is type 1 respiratory failure?

Answer 1

Hypoventilation with V/Q mismatch.

‘Pink puffer’- thin and hyperinflated.

Question 2

What is type 2 respiratory failure?

Answer 2

Hypoventilation with or without V/Q mismatch.

‘Blue bloater’- strong build and wheezy.

Question 3

What are the causes of type 1 respiratory failure?

Answer 3

Pneumonia.
Pulmonary oedema.
Pulmonary embolism.
Fibrosing alveolitis.

Question 4

What are the causes of type 2 respiratory failure?

Answer 4

COPD and asthma.
Cerebrovascular disease.
Opiate overdose.
Myasthenia gravis.
Motor neuron disease.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of respiratory failure?

Answer 5

Agitation.
Breathlessness.
Confusion.
Drowsiness and fatigue.

Question 6

What is a sign of type 1 respiratory failure?

Answer 6

Central cyanosis.

Question 7

What are the signs of type 2 respiratory failure?

Answer 7

Flapping tremor.
Bounding pulse.
Cyanosis.

Question 8

What is the PaO2 in respiratory failure?

Answer 8

Low (<8.0kPa).

Question 9

What is the PaCO2 in type 1 respiratory failure?

Answer 9

Normal (~6.7kPa).

Question 10

What is the PaCO2 in type 2 respiratory failure?

Answer 10

High (>6.7kPa).

Question 11

What is the treatment for type 1 respiratory failure?

Answer 11

Oxygen replacement therapy.

Treatment of underlying cause.

Question 12

What is the treatment for type 2 respiratory failure?

Answer 12

Noninvasive ventilation.

Treatment of underlying cause.

Question 13

What are the complications of respiratory failure?

Answer 13

Nosocomial infections, e.g. pneumonia.
Heart failure.
Arrhythmia.
Pericarditis.