Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Acute Respiratory Failure-II01:21

Acute Respiratory Failure-II

338
Type I Respiratory Failure, or hypoxemic respiratory failure, occurs when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in arterial blood falls below 60 mmHg while breathing room air without a corresponding increase in arterial carbon dioxide levels (PaCO2). This condition highlights a significant impairment in the lungs' capacity to oxygenate the blood.
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
338
Acute Respiratory Failure-III01:30

Acute Respiratory Failure-III

304
Hypercapnic respiratory failure, also known as Type 2 or ventilatory respiratory failure, is a severe condition characterized by the body's inability to effectively remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the bloodstream. It leads to an arterial CO2 pressure (PaCO2) exceeding 45 mmHg and a blood pH above 7.35. This situation indicates that the body's ventilatory demand, or the ventilation needed to maintain normal PaCO2 levels, surpasses its supply or the maximum gas flow achievable without...
304
Acute Respiratory Failure-I01:21

Acute Respiratory Failure-I

299
Acute respiratory failure is a condition characterized by the inability of the lungs to perform their primary function: gas exchange. This failure leads to insufficient oxygen levels (hypoxemia) in the blood, elevated carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia), or both, causing critical impairment in organ function.
Definition: It is defined by specific criteria based on blood gas measurements. Hypoxemia happens when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) falls below 60 mmHg. At the same time,...
299
Acute Respiratory Failure-V01:29

Acute Respiratory Failure-V

191
The treatment for acute respiratory failure varies based on factors like the underlying cause, overall health, and severity. A collaborative healthcare team is essential for early detection, often through arterial blood gas analysis. Identifying the cause is the primary goal, with treatment strategies adjusted for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, shunting, or diffusion impairment.
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
191
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

422
Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
422
Acute Kidney Injury V: Interprofessional Care01:20

Acute Kidney Injury V: Interprofessional Care

44
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) requires a collaborative healthcare approach to restore renal function and prevent complications. Essential management strategies involve monitoring fluid and electrolyte balance, adjusting medications, initiating dialysis when necessary, and providing nutritional support.Fluid and Electrolyte ManagementFluid Monitoring: Regularly monitoring body weight, central venous pressure, and urine output helps detect fluid imbalances early. Patient intake and output are...
44

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Serum creatine kinase: requesting and interpreting results.

Practical neurology·2025
Same author

Twists and turns along a diagnostic trail and the importance of practical neurologists.

Practical neurology·2023
Same author

Muscle cramps and contractures: causes and treatment.

Practical neurology·2022
Same author

IgG<sub>1</sub> pan-neurofascin antibodies identify a severe yet treatable neuropathy with a high mortality.

Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·2021
Same author

Muscle biopsy: what and why and when?

Practical neurology·2020
Same author

Correction to: Smoking Policy Change Within Permanent Supportive Housing.

Journal of community health·2018

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 4, 2025

Manual Muscle Testing: A Method of Measuring Extremity Muscle Strength Applied to Critically Ill Patients
09:44

Manual Muscle Testing: A Method of Measuring Extremity Muscle Strength Applied to Critically Ill Patients

Published on: April 12, 2011

81.6K

Weakness in the intensive care unit.

Jon Walters1

  • 1Neurology, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, UK Richard.Walters@wales.nhs.uk.

Practical Neurology
|July 21, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Assessing intensive care unit (ICU) patients with weakness requires recognizing diverse causes beyond common neuromuscular disorders. Understanding weakness patterns and overcoming assessment barriers are crucial for accurate diagnosis and patient care.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) may present with or develop respiratory and oropharyngeal weakness, posing diagnostic challenges.
  • While Guillain-Barré syndrome and myasthenia gravis are common considerations, a broader differential diagnosis including unrecognised chronic neurological conditions is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the diverse etiologies of weakness in ICU patients.
  • To emphasize the importance of clinical clues and understanding weakness patterns in diagnosing reduced consciousness.
  • To address the challenges in assessing critically ill patients and the need for clear communication.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical presentations and diagnostic considerations for weakness in the ICU.
  • Discussion of factors complicating patient assessment, including physical, medication, and cognitive barriers.
Keywords:
intensive caremyopathyneuropathy

More Related Videos

Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies
10:38

Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies

Published on: January 16, 2019

20.3K
Monitoring Lung Function with Electrical Impedance Tomography in the Intensive Care Unit
05:56

Monitoring Lung Function with Electrical Impedance Tomography in the Intensive Care Unit

Published on: September 6, 2024

3.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 4, 2025

Manual Muscle Testing: A Method of Measuring Extremity Muscle Strength Applied to Critically Ill Patients
09:44

Manual Muscle Testing: A Method of Measuring Extremity Muscle Strength Applied to Critically Ill Patients

Published on: April 12, 2011

81.6K
Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies
10:38

Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies

Published on: January 16, 2019

20.3K
Monitoring Lung Function with Electrical Impedance Tomography in the Intensive Care Unit
05:56

Monitoring Lung Function with Electrical Impedance Tomography in the Intensive Care Unit

Published on: September 6, 2024

3.2K
  • Emphasis on the diagnostic process involving clinical evaluation, appropriate testing, and interdisciplinary communication.

    • Main Results:

    • Weakness in ICU patients can stem from various causes, including decompensated chronic neurological conditions and ICU-acquired weakness.
    • Recognizing specific patterns of weakness aids in differentiating underlying causes of reduced consciousness.
    • Effective assessment necessitates overcoming significant barriers to patient evaluation.

    Conclusions:

    • A comprehensive approach is required to diagnose weakness in ICU patients, considering a wide range of potential causes.
    • Clinicians must utilize clinical acumen to interpret weakness patterns and navigate assessment challenges.
    • Clear communication among healthcare providers and with patients is vital for optimal management.