A patient with an opiate drug overdose is unconscious and exhibits the following blood gas results breathing room air: pH = 7.19; PCO₂ = 89; HCO₃^- = 27; PO₂ = 48. Which of the following best describes this patient's condition? A) Chronic hypoxemic respiratory failure B) Chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure C) Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure D) Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hypercapnic respiratory failure ("pump failure," "ventilatory failure") is characterized by an elevated PaCO₂, creating an uncompensated respiratory acidosis (whether acute or acute-on-chronic).

A Patient with an Opiate Drug Overdose Is Unconscious and Exhibits