QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
Pneumonia causes type 1 respiratory failure, which occurs due to a ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch. This means that the volume of air that is passing into and out of the lungs is much smaller than the volume of blood perfusing the lungs, resulting in hypoxia but a normal serum carbon dioxide level. This patient demonstrates type 2 respiratory failure, with hypercapnia as well as hypoxia, making this option incorrect.
10007572
b
Pneumonia
QuestionChoice
This is a cause of type 1 respiratory failure. The bronchoconstriction present in asthma causes areas of the lungs that have poor ventilation with oxygen but are well perfused by blood. This results in hypoxia, but a normal carbon dioxide level. This patient demonstrates type 2 respiratory failure, with hypercapnia as well as hypoxia, making this option incorrect.
10007575
e
Asthma
QuestionChoice
This is a cause of type 1 respiratory failure. A pulmonary embolism causes a ventilation-perfusion mismatch, meaning the volume of air passing in and out of the lungs is smaller than the volume of blood perfusing the lungs. This results in hypoxia, but a normal carbon dioxide level. This patient demonstrates type 2 respiratory failure, with hypercapnia as well as hypoxia, making this option incorrect.
10007574
d
Pulmonary Embolism
QuestionChoice
This is a cause of type 1 respiratory failure, not type 2.
10007573
c
Pneumothorax
QuestionChoice
An opiate overdose causes depression of the respiratory centre, and therefore results in type 2 respiratory failure (hypoxia plus hypercapnia). Type 2 respiratory failure occurs due to a reduction in alveolar ventilation, meaning that the lungs fail both to effectively oxygenate the blood and to remove carbon dioxide. Other causes of type 2 respiratory failure include idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, COPD, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and motor neuron disease.
10007571
a
Opiate overdose
Concept
Chapter
2693
4546
Respiratory failure
Topic
132
Respiratory
14061
A 50-year-old male is bought into the emergency department after being found unresponsive at home. He opens his eyes to pain but makes only incomprehensible groans when asked questions.

He has a past medical history of depression and hay fever, and takes regular sertraline.

An arterial blood gas is performed which shows the following:

PaO2 =9

PaCO2 = 7

Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient’s presentation?
a