Definition: Respiratory failure can be a complication of COPD and occurs when the lungs are unable to either inhale sufficient oxygen or successfully remove all of the carbon dioxide from the body. The latter can disrupt the acid-base balance in the body.
For a complete picture of respiratory failure read more:
Respiratory Failure: An Overview of Respiratory Failure
Sources:
A.D.A.M. http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/infectiousdiseases/Respiratory-acidosis.htm.
Smeltzer, S., Bare, B. Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing. Lippincott. 1996.
Also Known As: Respiratory acidosis, ventilatory failure
