Respiratory Failure Flashcards
(12 cards)
Q: What is hypoxemic respiratory failure?
A: Respiratory failure due to low oxygen levels in the blood (PaO₂ < 8 kPa). 🫁💨
Q: What is hypercapnic respiratory failure?
A: Respiratory failure due to high carbon dioxide levels in the blood (PaCO₂ > 6.5 kPa).
Q: Name four causes of hypoxemic respiratory failure.
A:
Diffusion impairment 🦠
Alveolar hypoventilation 😮💨
Intrapulmonary/intracardiac shunting 🔄
Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch ⚖️
Q: What is diffusion impairment in the lungs?
A: Thickened alveolar membrane limits gas exchange, e.g. in pneumonia or ARDS.
Q: What causes alveolar hypoventilation?
A: Poor airflow into alveoli — e.g. due to severe asthma or neuromuscular weakness.
Q: What is a ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch?
A: Imbalance between air reaching the alveoli and blood reaching the alveoli.
Q: What is respiratory shunting?
A: Blood bypasses the lungs without picking up oxygen, e.g. congenital heart defects.
Q: What is cyanosis?
A: A blue colour of skin/mucous membranes due to low oxygen.
Q: What is the difference between central and peripheral cyanosis?
A: Central = lips/tongue (serious); Peripheral = fingers/toes (less urgent).
Q: What does stridor sound like and when does it occur?
A: High-pitched sound during inspiration, usually from upper airway obstruction.
Q: What are signs of increased work of breathing in children?
A: Recession, nasal flaring, accessory muscle use, grunting, head bobbing.
Q: What are accessory muscles of breathing?
A: Muscles like the neck and shoulders used when breathing becomes laboured.
