Overview

Respiratory Failure Program

Respiratory failure is the lung’s inability to take in the oxygen the body needs or remove the carbon dioxide the body produces. The blood and other bodily fluids become too acidic, which is why respiratory failure can also be called respiratory acidosis.

There are two types of respiratory failure:

• Hypoxemia refers to the lack of oxygen in the bloodstream.
• Hypercapnia refers to the excess of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream.

Both conditions can trigger serious complications and the conditions often coexist.