Type 2 Respiratory Failure

Question 1

What are the Physiological Abnormalities of Type 2 Respiratory Failure?

Answer 1

• Hypercapnia
• Inadequate ventilation of the respiratory system
• Arteriole oxygen and carbon dioxide cannot be maintained within their normal ranges
• Hypoxemia (an abnormally low concentration of oxygen in the blood)

Question 2

What prior events lead to type 2 respiratory failure?

Answer 2

• Reduced breathing effort by the patient

- A decrease in the surface area of the lungs. This could be caused by COPD or emphysema

Question 3

What are the clinical signs and symptoms?

Answer 3

• Dyspnoea (difficult or laboured breathing)
• Hypoxia
• Tachypnoea (abnormally rapid breathing)

Question 4

What are the abnormal test results expected in type 2 respiratory failure?

Answer 4

• PaO2 decreased (less than 10 kPa)
• PaCO2 increased (Greater than 6 kPa)
• pH decreased (respiratory acidosis)

Question 5

What medical and surgical interventions are available?

Answer 5

• Identify and treat underlying cause
• Low flow oxygen therapy
• Ventilatory support

If the respiratory failure has been caused by an overdose of sedative drugs such as morphine/heroin or benzodiazepines, then the appropriate antidote such as naloxone or flumazenil should be given.