HYPERCARBIA

Course overview

HYPERCARBIA IS DEFINED BY AN INCREASE IN CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE BLOODSTREAM. CARBON DIOXIDE IS A METABOLIC END-PRODUCT OF NORMAL METABOLISM, WITH INCREASED PRODUCTION IN VARIOUS CLINICALLY RELEVANT DISEASE PROCESSES. IF A PATIENT IS UNABLE TO FULLY COMPENSATE DUE TO SOME TYPE OF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM OR LUNG IMPAIRMENT, ACIDOSIS RESULTS. THOUGH HYPERCARBIA IS COMMON IN HOSPITAL SETTINGS, MORTALITY FROM PROGRESSIVE RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS IS HIGH IF UNTREATED. THIS ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL HEALTHCARE TEAM IN EVALUATING AND TREATING PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.