Acute & emergency · UKMLA & AKT
Respiratory acidosis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test, covering how to recognise this condition. The full SA Note notes add investigations, management and complications, with practice questions on this topic.
Key high-yield points
- Step 1 - pH: <7.35 = acidosis; >7.45 = alkalosis
- Step 2 - PaCO2: raised (>6.0 kPa) with acidosis = respiratory acidosis; low PaCO2 with acidosis = respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis
- Step 3 - HCO3-: low (<22 mmol/L) = metabolic acidosis; raised (>26 mmol/L) = metabolic alkalosis or renal compensation
- Step 4 - PaO2: <10.7 kPa = hypoxia; if PaCO2 also raised = type 2 respiratory failure
- Step 5 - Compensation: pH moving toward normal despite abnormal primary value = partial compensation
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