Respiratory Failure

Question 1

What is respiratory failure?

Answer 1

the lungs fail to function:

• there is no gas exchange
• there is hypoxemia and hypercapnia

Question 2

What causes respiratory failure?

Answer 2

• COPD
• severe pneumonia
• atelectasis
• ARDS
• pulmonary edema
• upper airway obstruction
• weakness or paralysis of respiratory muscles (Guillan-Barre, spinal cord injury)

Question 3

What are the manifestations of respiratory failure?

Answer 3

• hypoxemia (paO2 under 60 mmHg, normal is 80-100)
• hypercapnia (paCO2 over 45 mmHg, normal is 35-45)
• respiratory acidosis
• manifestations of the underlying cause

Question 4

How is respiratory failure treated?

Answer 4

• may or may not be reversible
• restore gas exchange:
• – give oxygen
• – give bronchodilators (may work depending on cause)
• – mechanical ventilation
• – antibiotics? (depends on cause)
• treat the underlying cause