respiratory failure-help

It is all in the pathophysiology process going on. The PaCO2 is the culprit. It becomes elevated because of compromised lung mechanics in people who have an upper airway obstruction or whose pulmonary muscle is fatigued. Follow the progressive steps of what happens as CO2 increases and O2 decreases and the symptoms that are created to get the early and late stages. Respiratory failure happens when the patient cannot remove carbon dioxide from their alveoli which results in carbon dioxide retention and hypoxemia. Oxygen reaches the alveoli but cannot be absorbed and used properly. The lungs can move air but cannot move gasses in and out properly so oxygenation of the blood isn't occurring. Respiratory failure occurs because the lungs fail and CO2 is to blame. PaCO2 is greater than 45mmHg in these cases.

Here are the progressive signs:

• dyspnea
  
• headaches
  
• restlessness
  
• confusion
  
• tachycardia
  
• cyanosis
  
• dysrhythmias
  
• decreased level of consciousness
  
• altered respirations and breath sounds