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== Etiology ==
== Etiology ==
Hypercapnic [[respiratory failure]], and with it, respiratory acidosis, occurs due to [[alveolar hypoventilation]]. For etiology, see respiratory failure.
Respiratory acidosis occurs due to hypercapnic respiratory failure.
[[Category:Pathophysiology]]
 
{{#lst:Respiratory failure|etiology}}
 
== Pathophysiology ==
 
=== Compensatory mechanism ===
The body cannot compensate for respiratory acidosis by stimulating ventilation, as ventilation is the problem in the first place. However, kidney compensation occurs similarly as for metabolic acidosis. Kidneys respond to acidosis by increasing urinary excretion of acids and decreasing urinary excretion of bicarbonate. This mechanism is slow, taking a few days to kick in.
 
== Clinical features ==
Hypercapnia causes depressed consciousness, which may range from sluggishness to somnolence to coma.
 
== Diagnosis and evaluation ==
[[Arterial blood gas]] is essential in the evaluation of acid-base disorders. It will give the pH, bicarbonate level, pCO2, pO2, and lactate levels. In respiratory acidosis, the pCO<sub>2</sub> level is elevated (> 45 mmHg). If there is acidaemia, the pH is < 7.35.
 
When kidney compensation has kicked in, bicarbonate levels start to increase. Appropriate compensation causes an increase of approximately 4 units of bicarbonate per 10 mmHg elevation in pCO<sub>2</sub>.
 
== Management ==
{{#lst:Respiratory failure|management}}
<noinclude>[[Category:Pathophysiology]]</noinclude>