Question

You are caring for a client who has had COPD exacerbation and is feeling out of sorts. You find among other things, they are dealing with respiratory acidosis. How would you assist the client to manage their discomfort associated with the symptoms of this type of acid-base imbalance? And how will you enhance the care you recommend in your answer to the first question using client-centered care strategies?

Answer 1

Respiratory acidosis is a condition that occurs when the lungs cannot remove all of the carbon dioxide the body produces. This causes body fluids, especially the blood, to become too acidic.

Treatment is aimed at the underlying disease, and may include:

Bronchodilator medicines and corticosteroids to reverse some types of airway obstruction

Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (sometimes called CPAP or BiPAP) or a breathing machine, if needed

Oxygen if the blood oxygen level is low

Treatment to stop smoking

For severe cases, a breathing machine might be needed

The management of chronic respiratory acidosis focuses on treating the underlying illness that disrupts the breathing process and exchange of gases.

A doctor may also give treatments to improve respiration, including drugs that help open the passages to the lungs.

In acute respiratory acidosis, doctors can provide noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation, called Bi-PAP, through a facemask. This directly assists breathing.

In more severe conditions, a doctor improves respiration by inserting a tube into the airway for mechanical ventilation