Management of the Patient with Suspected Acute Respiratory Failure: Assessment and Action - Flowchart
Management of the Patient with Suspected Acute Respiratory Failure: Assessment and Action - Flowchart Management of the Patient with Suspected Acute Respiratory Failure: Assessment and Action Management of the Patient with Suspected Acute Respiratory Failure: Assessment and Action
Flowchart

Immediate assessments


    Assess using ABCDE method
    Key observations (Table 1.1) Examine chest
    Check vital signs: BP, HR, SaO2
    Listen over the lungs and heart
    Key investigations: arterial blood gas (ABG) and pH, ECG, Bloods (urea, creatinine, electrolytes, CRP), chest X-ray

Immediate assessments


    Assess using ABCDE method
    Key observations (Table 1.1) Examine chest
    Check vital signs: BP, HR, SaO2
    Listen over the lungs and heart
    Key investigations: arterial blood gas (ABG) and pH, ECG, Bloods (urea, creatinine, electrolytes, CRP), chest X-ray

Immediate assessments

Immediate assessments

    Assess using ABCDE method
    Key observations (Table 1.1) Examine chest
    Check vital signs: BP, HR, SaO2
    Listen over the lungs and heart
    Key investigations: arterial blood gas (ABG) and pH, ECG, Bloods (urea, creatinine, electrolytes, CRP), chest X-ray

Assess using ABCDE method
Key observations (Table 1.1) Examine chest Table 1.1
Check vital signs: BP, HR, SaO2 2
Listen over the lungs and heart
Key investigations: arterial blood gas (ABG) and pH, ECG, Bloods (urea, creatinine, electrolytes, CRP), chest X-ray

    Give oxygen (35-60%) by facemask to correct hypoxia. Aim for SaO2 of 94-98%.
    Treat underlying cause

    Give oxygen (35-60%) by facemask to correct hypoxia. Aim for SaO2 of 94-98%.
    Treat underlying cause

    Give oxygen (35-60%) by facemask to correct hypoxia. Aim for SaO2 of 94-98%.
    Treat underlying cause

Give oxygen (35-60%) by facemask to correct hypoxia. Aim for SaO2 of 94-98%. 2
Treat underlying cause

End

End

End

Immediate actions


    Protect airway if compromised
    Obtain iv access
    Oxygen administration

Immediate actions


    Protect airway if compromised
    Obtain iv access
    Oxygen administration

Immediate actions

Immediate actions

    Protect airway if compromised
    Obtain iv access
    Oxygen administration

Protect airway if compromised
Obtain iv access
Oxygen administration

Type 1 Failure

Type 1 Failure

Type 1 Failure Type 1 Failure

Type 2 Failure

Type 2 Failure

Type 2 Failure Type 2 Failure

    Give controlled oxygen (start at 24%) via venturi mask. Aim for SaO2 of 88-92%.
    Treat underlying cause e.g. COPD exacerbation
    Reassess ABG after 30 min. If pH improved and PaCO2 is lower, continue controlled inspired oxygen. If pH remains low ( < 7.35) with a high PaCO2 then consider assisted ventilation.

    Give controlled oxygen (start at 24%) via venturi mask. Aim for SaO2 of 88-92%.
    Treat underlying cause e.g. COPD exacerbation
    Reassess ABG after 30 min. If pH improved and PaCO2 is lower, continue controlled inspired oxygen. If pH remains low ( < 7.35) with a high PaCO2 then consider assisted ventilation.

    Give controlled oxygen (start at 24%) via venturi mask. Aim for SaO2 of 88-92%.
    Treat underlying cause e.g. COPD exacerbation
    Reassess ABG after 30 min. If pH improved and PaCO2 is lower, continue controlled inspired oxygen. If pH remains low ( < 7.35) with a high PaCO2 then consider assisted ventilation.

Give controlled oxygen (start at 24%) via venturi mask. Aim for SaO2 of 88-92%. 2
Treat underlying cause e.g. COPD exacerbation
Reassess ABG after 30 min. If pH improved and PaCO2 is lower, continue controlled inspired oxygen. If pH remains low ( < 7.35) with a high PaCO2 then consider assisted ventilation. 2 2