ACUTE RESPIRATORY FAILURE

ARF causes

pulmonary edema, pneumonia, PE, hypercapnic respiratory failure, asthma

ARF S/S

dyspnea, belly breathing (paradoxical breathing), pursed lip breathing, tripod, fast shallow breaths, abnormal breath sounds

ARF hypoxemic

oxygenation failure. Low O2, normal or low PaCO2, pH normal or High

S/S: Inc RR, HR, change in BP

Due to: COPD, Pneumonia, asthma

ARF hypercapnic

ventilation failure. Low Ph, high CO2, low O2

S/S: headache, confusion, dec. LOC

Due to: bad ventilation

ARF treatments

Oxygen, Bipap (risk of aspiration), ventilation

Meds: bronchodilators, steroids, diuretics, sedation, antibiotics - Neuro assessment to rule out hypoxia!

ARF nursing interventions

good lung down, HOB up, give O2, fluids, nutrition ( Goal is to eventually lower O2 use as much as possible)