Respiratory acidosis

Background

Cause = Hypoventilation

DDX

1. COPD
2. Drugs (opiods)
3. Chest wall dz
4. Pleural dz
5. Trauma

Treatment

1. Improve alveolar ventilation
   1. Bronchodilators
   2. CPAP
   3. Intubation (esp of pH < 7.25)
      1. Do not reduce pH too quickly (>5Hg/h)
         1. Can lead to abrupt hypocalcemia/hypokalemia

Source

Tintinalli