Table 11.
The criteria for endotracheal intubation (55)
| A-Any one of the following |
| 1. pH less than 7.20 |
| 2. pH 7.20-7.25 on two occasions 1 hour apart |
| 3. Hypercapnic coma (Glasgow Coma Scale score <8 and PaCO2 >60 mm Hg) |
| 4. PaO2 less than 45 mm Hg |
| 5. Cardiopulmonary arrest |
| B-Two or more of the following in the context of respiratory distress |
| 1. Respiratory rate greater than 35 breaths/minute or less than 6 breaths/minute |
| 2. Tidal volume less than 5 mL/kg |
| 3. Blood pressure changes, with SBP <90 mm Hg |
| 4. Oxygen desaturation to <90% despite adequate supplemental oxygen |
| 5. Hypercapnia (PaCO2 >10 mm increase) or acidosis (pH decline >0.08) from baseline |
| 6. Obtundation |
| 7. Diaphoresis |
| 8. Abdominal paradox |
SBP - systolic blood pressure; PaO2 - partial pressure of arterial oxygen; PaCO2 - partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide