Respiratory Failure [Documentation Suggestions]

• Describe clinical signs and symptoms (e.g., abnormal blood gas levels, dyspnea, crackles, cyanosis, somnolence, etc.).
• For patients with chronically abnormal ABG levels, note the baseline levels or if current levels vary from the patient’s norm.
• Note underlying cause (e.g., AMI, pneumonia, CHF, massive stroke, etc.) and whether cause was chronic, chronic with acute exacerbation, or acute.