Respiratory acidosis is an acid-base balance disturbance because of alveolar hypoventilation. Production of carbon dioxide takes place rapidly and failure of air flow directly increases the partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2). The regular reference range for PaCO2 is 35-45 mm Hg.

History^[1]

• A well, efficient and targeted history from the patient, and the medical record should provide enough information on a patient’s risk for hypercapnia or respiratory acidosis.
• To identify the common etiologies, Take a brief history of
  • Drugs
  • Past history of
    • Chronic lung disease
    • Sleep problems if any
    • Neuromuscular disorder
    • Smoking history
    • Travel history
    • Any history of recent trauma

Symptoms

Common symptoms may include:

• Confusion
• Easy fatigue
• Lethargy
• Shortness of breath
• Sleepiness or daytime somnolence