Respiratory failure

​A small number of patients with acute respiratory failure do not respond to treatment, despite receiving adequate ventilation with 100% oxygen, and become severely hypoxic. This is a form of acute respiratory failure characterized by shortness of breath and severe hypoxia resistant to oxygen therapy. It is often fatal, accompanied by severe dyspnea, hypoxia, and bilateral diffuse pulmonary infiltrates.

Risk factors: trauma, inhalation of toxic gases, aspiration of liquids (the most common cause), hematologic disorders, infections, metabolic disorders, shock, drug poisoning, and more.

Symptoms:

acute respiratory distress, tachypnea, tachycardia, sweating, severe shortness of breath, difficult breathing using accessory muscles, nasal flaring, cyanosis in severe cases, dry coughs accompanied by fever, altered sensations.

 

Treatment:
Ensuring adequate and appropriate oxygenation by administering oxygen.
Maintaining the appropriate concentration of Hb and cardiac output.
Correcting alveolar ventilation: Keeping an airway clear and free from secretions, suctioning secretions, changing position, implementing measures to thin and mobilize secretions such as moisturizing and encouraging fluid intake, provided there are no restrictions on fluid consumption.
Reducing pulmonary congestion.
Alleviating and addressing bronchospasm.
Mechanical ventilation: If the patient is connected to a mechanical ventilator, we position them sitting up or semi-sitting to maximize the movement of the chest during inhalation and exhalation.
Treating the underlying cause through: Continuous monitoring of therapeutic effects from controlling ABG, laboratory test results, blood pressure, vital signs, intake and output (I&O), respiratory parameters, weight, and continuously assessing the level of consciousness.