Respiratory Acidosis Disrupted Homeostasis

A set of vocabulary flashcards reviewing respiratory acidosis mechanisms, causes, laboratory values, diagram findings, and memory patterns.

ABG Pattern of Respiratory Acidosis

Serum carbon dioxide is increased and pH is below $7.35$.

Hypoventilation

The ventilation problem that causes respiratory acidosis.

Increased Physiologic Dead Space

A physiologic mechanism listed alongside hypoventilation as a cause of respiratory acidosis.

Nursing Considerations for Respiratory Acidosis

Consider possible causes leading to hypoventilation or increased dead space when respiratory acidosis is identified.

General Process of Respiratory Acidosis

Acute or chronic processes causing retention of $\text{CO}_2$.

Acute Causes of Respiratory Acidosis

Drugs, neurologic disorders, pneumonia, asthma, stroke, and surgery.

Chronic Causes of Respiratory Acidosis

Heart failure and COPD.

Determinant of Clinical Presentation

The causative process determines the clinical presentation of respiratory acidosis.

Manifestations of Respiratory Acidosis

Sleep difficulty, anxiety, shortness of breath, cyanosis, increased ICP, and COPD.

Laboratory Tests for Respiratory Acidosis

ABGs and serum bicarbonate.

Disrupted Homeostasis (Page 17 Diagram)

Retained $\text{CO}_2$ with $\text{PaCO}_2 > 45\,\text{mmHg}$ and pH below $7.35$.

Acid/Base State Depicted (Page 17 Diagram)

Respiratory acidosis with $\text{H}^+$ excess.

Renal Compensation (Page 17 Diagram)

$\text{H}^+$ secretion and $\text{HCO}_3^-$ generation.

Respiratory Correction Response (Page 17 Diagram)

Increased respiratory rate and depth.

Memory Pattern for Respiratory Acidosis

pH down + $\text{CO}_2$ up.