HYPERCAPNEA

Course overview

HYPERCAPNIA IS THE INCREASE IN PARTIAL PRESSURE OF CARBON DIOXIDE (PACO2) ABOVE 45 MMHG. CARBON DIOXIDE IS A METABOLIC PRODUCT OF THE MANY CELLULAR PROCESSES WITHIN THE BODY, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL PHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS THAT THE BODY HAS TO MODERATE OF CARBON DIOXIDE LEVELS. THESE INCLUDE THE AN ACID-BASE BUFFERING SYSTEM THAT INVOLVES A BALANCE BETWEEN BICARBONATE AND CARBON DIOXIDE. CONSEQUENTLY, HYPERCAPNIA LEADS TO ACID-BASE IMBALANCE. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE EVALUATION, DIAGNOSIS, AND MANAGEMENT OF HYPERCAPNIA AND STRESSES THE ROLE OF TEAM-BASED INTERPROFESSIONAL CARE FOR AFFECTED PATIENTS.