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Common causes of type II respiratory failure COPD. Severe asthma. Drug overdose, poisoning. Myasthenia gravis. Polyneuropathy. Poliomyelitis. Muscle disorders. Head injuries and neck injuries. Obesity. Pulmonary oedema. Adult respiratory distress syndrome. Hypothyroidism. As CO2 levels increase, patients exhibit a reduction in overall level of consciousness as well as respiratory effort. What are the signs & symptoms of high co2 blood levels? Shortness of Breath Headache Increased Heart Rate Dizziness or Confusion Unconsciousness Arterial blood gas analysis; ABG Normal Results Values at sea level: Normal Arterial Blood Gas Values
abg interpreter pH CO2 HCO3 Four-Step Guide to ABG Analysis Is the pH normal, acidotic or alkalotic? Are the pCO2 or HCO3 abnormal? Which one appears to influence the pH? If both the pCO2 and HCO3 are abnormal, the one which deviates most from the norm is most likely causing an abnormal pH. Check the pO2. Is the patient hypoxic?
It's possible to have more than one disorder influencing blood gas values. For example ABG's with an alkalemic pH may exhibit respiratory acidosis and metabolic alkalosis. These disorders are termed complex acid-base or mixed disorders. Oxygen and CO2 Retention in COPD Therapy/Treatment: In both forms of respiratory failure, therapy is directed toward the underlying diseases as well as the ventilatory and hypoxic components. In addition to these components, there is an acute and a chronic component to respiratory failure. Patients with chronic respiratory failure frequently can maintain lower PO2 and higher PCO2 than patients with acute respiratory failure. (i) Treatment of type I respiratory failure is administration of high concentrations of inspired oxygen, which may be delivered by mask or nasal cannula. These high concentrations are safe to administer to patients with type I respiratory failure because there is no risk of carbon dioxide retention in these individuals. (ii) Treatment of type II respiratory failure depends upon recognition of its cause. (a) In the common variety arising from exacerbations of COPD, the basis of therapy is controlled administration of oxygen (i.e., low-flow oxygen treatment). Target SaO2 88-92% in these patients (b) Type II respiratory failure that arises from causes other than COPD usually is an indication for mechanical ventilation. |