Respiratory Acidosis

- Main cause of respiratory acidosis is bradypnea (slow respiratory rate <12 bpm which causes
CO2 to build-up in the lungs)
- When this happens the following lab values are affected:
 Blood pH decreases (<7.35)
 Carbon dioxide levels increase (>45)
 To compensate for this, the Kidneys start to conserve bicarbonate (HCO3) to hopefully
increase the blood’s pH back to normal…..so HCO3 becomes >26.
Causes of Respiratory Acidosis: DEPRESS
 Drugs – opiods, sedatives causes respiratory depression
 Edema – (pulmonary) extra fluid in the lungs causes impaired gas exchange
 Pneumonia- excessive mucous production affects gas exchange
 Respiratory center of the brain is damaged ( brain injury, stroke)
 Emboli – blocks the pulmonary artery or branch of the lungs causes carbon dioxide to increase
 Spasm of bronchial tubes (asthma)- bronchioles constrict and you have decreased gas exchange
 Sac elasticity of alveolar sac are damaged and this restrict air flow in and out of the lungs and it
increases carbon dioxide

Nursing Intervention
 Administer oxygen
 encourage coughing and deep breathing
 suction (pneumonia)
 may need respiratory treatment (asthma)
 hold respiratory depression drugs (know the category of drugs used ike opiods, sedatives etc)
 may need endotracheal intubation if CO2 rise above 50 mmhg or respiratory distress is present

Sources:
https://www.registerednursern.com/respiratory-acidosis-nclex-review-notes-with-mnemonic-quiz-acid-
base-imbalance-notes/
https://nurseslabs.com/respiratory-acidosis-nursing-management/