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Respiratory acidosis

Alternative Names: Ventilatory failure; Respiratory failure; Acidosis - respiratory Symptoms: Symptoms may include shortness of breath, easy fatigue, chronic cough, or wheezing. Text Continues Below When respiratory acidosis becomes severe, confusion, irritability, or lethargy may occur. Signs and tests: A chest x-ray or CT scan may be done to diagnose possible lung disease.   Pulmonary function tests   may help diagnose lung disease. Arterial blood gases can tell how bad the respiratory acidosis is, and may detect abnormal oxygen levels. References: Murray J, Nadel J. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2000: 191-192.  Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002:1716-1717. Ford MD, Clinical Toxicology. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2001:92.

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