Acute & emergency · UKMLA & AKT
Type 2 respiratory failure
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
- Type 2 respiratory failure = hypoxia + hypercapnia (PaO2 <8 kPa, PaCO2 >6 kPa) due to alveolar hypoventilation
- In acute severe asthma, hyperventilation causes low PaCO2 and respiratory alkalosis - a normal or rising PaCO2 (>6.0 kPa) means the patient is tiring and hypoventilating; this is a near-fatal sign
- Chronic hypercapnia (e.g. COPD): kidneys compensate by retaining HCO3- → raised PaCO2, raised HCO3-, near-normal pH
A normal pCO2 in a tachypnoeic asthmatic is NOT reassuring - it signals exhaustion and impending respiratory arrest. Expect low pCO2 during active hyperventilation; normalisation = deterioration.
Unlock the full Type 2 respiratory failure revision
Get the complete high-yield notes (2 more sections covering investigations, management and complications), practice questions, mock exams and Sal, the AI tutor. Start free.