In this instructional video, the presenter introduces respiratory acidosis as one of the four primary arterial blood gas (ABG) disorders nurses must master. She defines normal pH (7.35‑7.45) and PaCO₂ (35‑45 mm Hg) values, explains that respiratory acidosis occurs when the lungs fail to eliminate enough carbon dioxide, causing CO₂ accumulation, a drop in pH, and an acidic blood state. The video outlines the physiological mechanism—lungs acting as “party poopers” that retain CO₂—and lists common etiologies such as asthma, bronchitis, COPD, hypoventilation, nervous‑system changes, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, and any condition that impairs gas exchange or reduces respiratory rate. The presenter also points learners to a separate step‑by‑step ABG interpretation guide and encourages viewers to subscribe for more nursing study tips. The tone is conversational and supportive, aiming to help nursing students confidently interpret ABG results related to respiratory acidosis.
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In this video, today, we are diving into respiratory acidosis. I will tell you what it is, what causes it, and what you need to know about it for nursing school. And before we get started, my friend, make sure that you hit that subscribe button and click on the little bell icon so you never miss out on any other nursing school tips and tricks that I have for you. Now, let's do it. Respiratory acidosis is one of four main categories that you need to know about for ABGs in nursing school. ABG stands for arterial blood gases. Now, the other three categories are metabolic acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, and metabolic alkalosis. We'll talk about those other three in the other videos in this series. So when you see the word respiratory, when it refers to ABGs, I want you to think of the lungs. So during respiratory acidosis, think the lungs. The lungs are the problem and we call them the party poopers. So the lungs are the ones causing the respiratory acidosis to occur. Now, acidosis means that the blood is more acidic than normal. And the way that we determine if the blood is acidic or not is to look at the PH value on your patient's arterial blood gas panel or ABG panel. A normal PH blood value is between 7.35 and 7.45. When the pH is less than 7.4, it's more acidic, and when the PH is greater than 7.4, it's more basic. So during respiratory acidosis, it's acidosis, meaning the PH is more acidic or less than 7.4. So here's what's happening. During respiratory acidosis, the lungs are holding onto too much CO2. Now, CO2 stands for carbon dioxide, and carbon dioxide is an acid. Usually, as you breathe, the lungs pull in oxygen and let out CO2. But during respiratory acidosis, they're not letting out enough CO2. So it builds up in the blood. And what happens when the acid builds up in the blood? The blood becomes more acidic. And that's exactly what's happening here. Because the lungs are just holding on to too much CO2. The blood is becoming more and more acidic and the PH is now dropping. When you look at a patient's arterial blood gas panel or ABG panel, the number you're looking for here is the Paco 2 that stands for partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and it tells you how much CO2 is in the blood. A normal Paco 2 is between 35 and 45 millimeters mercury. This is pretty easy one to remember because it looks just like the normal PH value that we just saw just without the 7. So a normal ph value is 7.35 to 7.45 and a normal Paco 2 is 35 to 45. Now here's what nursing instructors love to test you on the causes of respiratory acidosis. Some causes of respiratory acidosis are asthma, bronchitis, copd, hypoventilation, changes in nervous system function, pneumonia, pulmonary edema and anything else that decreases gas exchange in the lungs or decreases the respiratory rate. So anything that can inhibit or decrease respirations or decrease gas exchange can cause respiratory acidosis. Now if you want a step by step guide for interpreting ABGs, be sure to check that video out that we've got for you. I put a link to that video in the description below for you to check it out if you would like. Now I hope this video helped you friend in nursing school and learning Arterial Blood Gases and Respiratory Acidosis. Now go become the nurse that God created only you to be and I will see you in the next video.
