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Your doctor will check your medical history, perform a physical exam, and do tests and procedures to diagnose respiratory failure.
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Medical history
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Your doctor will ask you or your family members about your medical history and risk factors, especially any medical conditions that may affect your lungs and breathing. Your doctor will also ask if you have any symptoms of respiratory failure such as shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and confusion.
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Physical exam
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During a physical exam your doctor may do the following:
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\n - Check for a bluish color on your lips, fingers, or toes.
\n - Listen to your heart with a stethoscope to check for a fast or irregular heartbeat.
\n - Listen to your lungs with a stethoscope for rapid breathing or any unusual sounds when you breathe. He or she will also see if your chest moves unevenly while you breathe.
\n - Measure your blood oxygen level with a clip on a finger, called pulse oximetry.
\n - Measure your blood pressure to check if it is too high or low.
\n - Measure your temperature to check for a fever and ask if you have recently had a fever.
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Diagnostic tests and procedures
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To diagnose respiratory failure, your doctor may order some of the following tests and procedures.
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\n - Arterial blood gas tests to measure levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH, and bicarbonate. A sample of your blood will be taken from your arteries. These tests help determine whether you have respiratory failure and what type it is.
\n - Blood tests to help find the cause of your respiratory failure. Blood tests can also help your doctor see how well your other organs are working.
\n - Bacterial cultures using samples of your blood, urine, or phlegm (a slimy substance that you cough out) to check for a bacterial infection.
\n - Bronchoscopy to check for blockages, tumors , or other possible causes of respiratory failure.
\n - Chest X-ray to identify any lung or heart conditions that may be causing respiratory failure.
\n - Chest computed tomography (CT) scan to image the lungs and look for inflammation or damage.
\n - Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) to check your heart rhythm and how well your heart is working.
\n - Echocardiography to check how well your heart is working.
\n - Lung ultrasound to check for lung conditions such as pleural effusion.
\n - Lung biopsy to collect samples of your lung tissue.
\n - Pulmonary function tests to measure how well your lungs are working
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