David Story

1. Description of the problem Respiratory acidosis is caused by relative hypoventilation. Major risk is associated hypoxemia. Clinical importance depends on context and severity, and rate of change. pH effect is important. Respiratory acidosis is an expected part of planned mechanical hypoventilation in ICU (permissive hypercapnia). Clinical features Often combination of hypercapnia and hypoxia Most…

Respiratory alkalosis Synonym Hypocapnia Related conditions Metabolic alkalosis Metabolic acidosis Respiratory acidosis 1. Description of the problem What every clinician needs to know Relative hyperventilation tending to make blood more alkaline: increased pH, decreased hydrogen ion concentrations Can be physiological: pregnancy and high altitude Pathological associated with relative hyperventilation Clinical features Often no specific manifestations.…