Question

Alterations in Respiratory Functioning Define - Hypoventilation What are the signs and symptoms Why do patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) require oxygen no greater than 1-3 L/min? What happens if a COPD patient receives too much oxygen?

Answer 1

1) Hypoventilation is defined as too slow breaths results in bradypnea. Hypoventilation results in elevated partial carbon dioxide (Paco2). The normal Paco2 is 35-45 mm Hg if it's is elevated above 45 mm Hg it is defined as Respiratory Acidosis. Hypoventilation is caused by certain disorders like COPD, emphysema, Central nervous system diseases depressing respiratory center.

2) The most common signs of Hypoventilation are:

- cyanosis : bluish discoloration of mucus membranes resulting in lack of oxygen in tissues secondary to Hypoventilation.

- Mental confusion : since Hypoventilation results in excessive accumulation of carbon dioxide ( hyper capnea) results in disorientation.

Symptoms includes:

- restlessness and anxiousness repeated to Hypoventilation and fear of death.

- Inability to sleep

- Poor appetite, restlessness

- extreme fatigue

3) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Is a progressive lung disease characterized by breathlessness. In COPD the ventilation and perfusion mismatch happens results in low levels of oxygen perfused the alveoli. The blood vessels supplying alveoli becomes vaso contricted results in hypoxemia. Supplemental oxygen therapy is must to prevent further complications of hypoxemia.

Administering excess of oxygen more than 3 Lt/ Mt causes further vasoconstriction of alveoli resulting in more accumulation of carbon dioxide ( hyper capnea) causing oxygen toxicity. Respiratory Acidosis results in hyper capnea disturbing acid base balance finally end up with coma and death.