[Water-electrolyte and acid-base disorders. VIII. Respiratory acidosis]

Acute respiratory acidosis will result from many processes that acutely interfere with the excretion of CO2 by the lungs. CO2 excretion by the lungs can be interfered with by processes that inappropriately decrease minute ventilation, processes that impair the transport of CO2 from the site of production to the lungs for export, and by processes that impair the transfer of CO2 from the blood through the alveolar space to the atmosphere. The underlying clinical syndrome generating the primary hypercapnia will determine the duration of the acidosis as well as the anticipated clinical manifestations attributable to the acidosis.