blood gases in respiratory failure

Last reviewed 01/2018

Type 1 respiratory failure:

  • acute - PaO2 (\/ \/) PaCO2 (-) pH (-) bicarbonate (-)
  • chronic - PaO2 (\/) PaCO2 (-) pH (-) bicarbonate (-)

Type 2 respiratory failure:

  • acute - PaO2 (\/) PaCO2 (/\) pH (\/) bicarbonate (-)
  • chronic - PaO2 (\/) PaCO2 (/\) pH (\/ / /\) bicarbonate (/\)

Key:

\/ = decreased;

/\ = increased;

- = unchanged